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As part of the case of Philips respirators, France Info announces that the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products is taking legal action. Information confirmed to Doctissimo Maître Christophe Lèguevaques, lawyer for the victims.
This is a new episode in the case of Philips respirators for people suffering from sleep apnea. The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) seized the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, within the framework of Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which indicates that any public authority must seize the prosecutor as soon as she has knowledge of a crime or offence. According to the prosecution, this report relates to the “compliance of medical devices put into circulation with the essential requirements”.
The Dutch giant does not “play the game”
The information, reported by our colleagues from France Info, was confirmed by Mr. Christophe Lèguevaques, who represents more than 500 victims of these defective devices and suspected of being carcinogenic. “Indeed, the ANSM seized the Parquet of Paris. This is a good thing, in my opinion, because Philips does not respect its word vis-à-vis the Agency“Explains first of all the lawyer, expert in collective proceedings.It also confirms that Philips has a doublespeak and that it does not play the game, it is far from satisfactory for patients” he adds.
A case that has lasted for many months
As a reminder, the health policy decision which obliged Philips to replace defective devices according to a replacement schedule dates from February 2022. The other obligation for the manufacturer was to quickly launch an independent study, in order to determine the real danger of the machines for the patients. The management of this case by the health authorities has been the subject of much criticism…
But at present, none of these obligations have been fulfilled. Several thousand machines are still used by patients and nothing has been done. For the record, the foam used in the respirators is suspected of being carcinogenic and the Dutch giant is accused of having used it in its machines, despite the warnings. “Now, it is time for the Public Prosecutor’s Office to examine the case by appointing a judge, so that things can move forward” concludes Christophe Lèguevaques.