Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Philips Recalls Some CPAP Machines, Ventilators Over Cancer Risk
Reuters: Philips Recalls Ventilators, Sleep Apnea Machines Due To Health Risks
Dutch medical equipment company Philips (PHG.AS) has recalled some breathing devices and ventilators because of a foam part that might degrade and become toxic, potentially causing cancer, it said on Monday. Foam used to dampen the machines' sound can degrade and emit small particles that irritate airways, the group said as it announced the recall. Gases released by the degrading foam may also be toxic or carry cancer risks. (Sterling, 6/14)
Axios: FDA Authorizes Use Of Stroke Recovery Device For Hands
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of IpsiHand, a device that assists people recovering from a stroke by using signals from the uninjured parts of their brain to help restore the use of a non-functioning hand, NPR reports. IpsiHand's FDA authorization allows NeuroLutions, the company that founded the technology, to manufacture the device to assist patients who are no longer benefiting from traditional rehabilitation. (Reyes, 6/13)
In pharmaceutical industry news —
FiercePharma: Bayer Pledges $300M To Boost Production In World's 'Contraceptive Capital’
Bayer, currently in the midst of a gung-ho cell therapy expansion in the U.S., is turning its attention back to Europe as it looks to beef up its birth control manufacturing in the world's "contraceptive capital." The company has designs on a €250 million ($303 million) investment for a new production plant in Turku, Finland, which it's pegged to become "one of the most modern" factories in the world thanks to its heavy use of automation and robotics, Bayer said in a release Thursday. The cash will also be used to make upgrades at an existing plant there. (Kansteiner, 6/11)
