Phillips Recalls CPAP Machines, Causing Shortage For Replacement Machines

OCEAN VIEW, DE –  Phillips Respironics are recalling their DreamStation CPAP devices used to help those with sleep apnea after foam used inside the machine was found to break down into cancer-causing particles that people would inhale.

The problem for patients being urged to stop using the devices is replacements for the recall could be more than a year away and Medicare isn’t guaranteed to pay.

Dr. Sherin Howett of Pearl Clinic in Delaware told 47 ABC that her location has been swamped by patients coming in to weigh their options for treatment.

She says of the nearly 800 patients she sees for sleep apnea, nearly one-third are affected by the recall.

Those turning to other brands are finding they too are in low supply, as demand for the CPAP machines has driven up prices made alternate devices harder to find.

“The woman I spoke with said congratulations on getting a new machine it’s been really hard for people to get them,” said Cindy Timmerman of Ocean View Delaware.

Cindy and her husband John are two of the lucky ones able to get their hands on CPAP machines, going out of pocket and paying nearly 2,000 dollars for two new units from another company.

The Timmermans told 47ABC that they feel a recall should demand more urgent action or replacement from the company, and put them in the position between neglecting their care for sleep apnea, or putting themselves at risk for cancer.

“for us, it was just buying the new machines- or wait until these were five years old and get them or replaced for free which was not an option,” they said.

Dr. Howett says Phillips told consumers to consult their doctors about the decision to stay on the CPAP,  or going without treatment.

She believes that’s left patients, especially those without the ability to purchase new equipment with no good options.

“It’s picking your poison you either continue that treatment that could cause a variety of medical concerns including cancer or you stop using it and deal with the consequences and hazards of untreated sleep apnea,” Dr. Howwitt said.

The Timmermans told 47ABC, that it’s a decision they were faced with, and worry that many seniors, living on a fixed income would not be able to buy a new one.

Unable to replace the machine, they fear many will continue to use it, despite the recall, and option they themselves considered.

“I’m not sure what we would have done, it makes such a big difference for me during the day not feeling tired I would have continued using the machine,” they said.

Dr.Howett told 47ABC that the process for getting medicare to replace the CPAP machine requires the machines to be 5 years out of date, and that insurance can still dispute recall.

She says she hopes both medicare and other insurance will reconsider their guidance, given the shortage of CPAP parts caused by the pandemic, especially as CPAP units continue to be converted into respirators for covid patients.

Dr. Howett says as a medical professional she doesn’t want to recommend patients stay on a faulty or dangerous machine, but for many patients with underlying conditions, a year with no CPAP would do more even more damage.