All articles tagged with #medical equipment
Mattel has released a new Barbie doll that features Type 1 diabetes medical equipment, including an insulin pump and glucose monitor, to promote awareness and inclusivity.
China has imposed restrictions on European medical device companies, barring them from selling to the Chinese government in response to EU restrictions on Chinese products, amid ongoing trade disputes involving tariffs and market access issues.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, a major player in the medical equipment industry, has lowered its 2023 outlook for the second time this year due to challenges in the macro environment. The company now expects lower earnings per share and sales than previously projected. This guidance cut suggests that Thermo Fisher may miss Wall Street's fourth-quarter expectations. The stock slumped by 5.5% as a result. Despite the challenges, Thermo Fisher's adjusted earnings for the third quarter exceeded analysts' forecasts, but sales were slightly below expectations. The company attributes the guidance cut to the impact of its COVID-19 business, including a decline in sales of COVID tests. However, analysts believe that the underlying organic growth is in line with peers and that the recent underperformance of the stock may be overdone.
Philips has reached a settlement to resolve one category of legal claims in the United States related to the recall of its sleep apnea and respiratory devices. The settlement covers "economic loss" claims, with an initial payment of $479 million to a fund for claimants. The company still faces other legal actions, including personal injury claims and an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Philips is also in talks with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a potential settlement.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine warns that the standard, one-size-fits-all blood pressure cuffs used by most doctor's offices are delivering inaccurate readings, particularly for patients who require a different size, especially larger cuffs. Accurate blood pressure readings are crucial for diagnosing conditions like hypertension, the leading cause of heart disease worldwide. The study found that medical professionals often use midsize cuffs, which are typically the only size provided for at-home blood pressure monitors. Using the wrong cuff size can lead to incorrect diagnoses and health advice. The researchers recommend educating both patients and providers about the importance of using the right cuff and caution against using public blood pressure kiosks.
Mayor GT Bynum confirmed one person died due to power outage after relying on a respirator during the storm in Tulsa. The City has provided charging stations for people who need to charge their medical equipment. The Medical Examiner's Office confirmed two people died due to the weekend's storms. The City of Tulsa urges people to check in on loved ones if they are without power and utilize the cooling and charging stations provided.
Dutch medical supplier Philips will pay over $62m to settle charges that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in relation to its sales of medical diagnostic equipment in China. The SEC found that Philips' subsidiaries in China used special price discounts with distributors that created a risk that excessive distributor margins could be used to fund improper payments to government employees. The company also engaged in improper bidding practices by preparing additional bids with other manufacturers' products to create the appearance of legitimate public tenders. Philips consented to the SEC order without admitting or denying the findings and agreed to pay $15m in civil penalties and more than $47m in disgorgement and prejudgment interest.
A Type 1 diabetic woman was asked by her sister to remove her Dexcom monitor and Omnipod insulin pump for her wedding as they would look "ugly" in photos. Despite offering to keep them out of shot, the bride complained to their mother, and the woman received no support from her family and friends. She turned to Reddit for advice and received overwhelming support, with many saying it was selfish and unreasonable to compromise her health. Her brother and grandfather later confronted their mother for not supporting her health needs.
The EPA is proposing tougher standards on several toxic chemicals, including ethylene oxide, which is widely used for sterilizing medical equipment. However, parts of the healthcare and chemical industries are warning that these rule changes could disrupt the supply of safe medical equipment, affecting hospitals and clinics nationwide. Environmental groups and EPA officials say tougher rules are needed because far too many Americans are burdened by pollution from ethylene oxide, which the EPA says is a carcinogen. The agency is also planning to announce rule changes specifically for ethylene oxide, setting more-stringent standards for the businesses that use it and suppliers who register to sell it.