The Dutch maker of medical devices Philips said on Tuesday that independent tests showed that the use of respiratory devices involved in a major worldwide recall did not pose a risk to the health of patients.
Philips said that “rigorous testing” by external parties of the DreamStation range of machines used to treat sleep apnea showed positive results, confirming preliminary results released last year.
“We are very happy with these results, it is very important for patients to know that the use of the devices does not bring health risks,” Philips Chief Executive Roy Jakobs told Reuters in a telephone interview.
“This proves that we are working with a safe product, even if it can be damaged.”
Amsterdam-based Philips is grappling with a global recall in June 2021 of millions of respirators used to treat sleep apnea over concerns that the foam used in the machines could be toxic.
It said that exposure to particulate matter emissions and volatile organic compounds from degraded foam in DreamStation devices “is unlikely to result in a significant harm to the health of patients.”
Philips had already said last year that tests showed that foam damage was rare and linked to the use of unauthorized ozone-based cleaning products.
It now adds that foam degradation as a result of such cleaning is also unlikely to result in substantial damage.
QHilips shares rose 3% in early Amsterdam trading.
Philips has lost nearly 70% of its market value since the recall announcement, as investors fear huge litigation fees from a set of lawsuits.s launched by anxious patients.
The DreamStation machines included in the tests make up 95% of all recalled devices, Philips said.
The company expects test results for the remaining 5% to be available in the third quarter of 2023.
(Reporting by Bart Meijer; editing by Kirsten Donovan and Bernadette Baum)
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