"Philips Agrees to Implement New Safeguards After CPAP Recall"
Philips Respironics has reached an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department following a catastrophic recall of its sleep apnea machines and ventilators. The company must hire an independent safety monitor, undergo regular facility inspections, and pay part of its revenue to the federal government. The agreement also includes a review of testing on replacement machines and prohibits Philips from selling certain devices in the U.S. due to concerns about toxic foam. Patient safety advocates are concerned about the long-term impact on patient health, and the FDA has received reports of deaths and illnesses associated with the degraded foam.