Judging the information from Philips "insufficient and contradictory with that which we have collected in other countries" and wishing to "shed all the light on this affair", the FFAIR mandated the lawyer Christophe Lèguevaques "to file a complaint against X and is a civil party on behalf of the association", said Christian Trouchot, administrator of the federation quoted in the press release.
The complaint, which “will mainly target the offenses of endangering the lives of others, deception and administration of harmful substances”, should be “filed in mid-April, the time to compile a complete file and to 'integrate natural persons who would like to join us', according to lawyer Christophe Lèguevaques, also quoted.
The FFAIR also supports a collective action project led by this lawyer.
“This collective action can allow us (…) to be thousands and thereby make us respected by Philips, the authorities and even doctors”, estimated Christian Trouchot.
The ANSM took a binding measure on Friday to force the industrial giant Philips to speed up the replacement of defective breathing apparatus, used in particular against sleep apnea, under penalty of criminal prosecution.
The group, which denounced an "unjustified" measure, announced its intention to consider an appeal.
Philips announced last summer that it was recalling several models of devices worldwide intended to help patients breathe easier.
These devices, used by 370,000 patients in France and 1.5 million throughout Europe, contain sound-absorbing foam.
The Dutch group noticed that particles came out of the device and could be inhaled or ingested.
This can cause irritation, headaches.
The group also mentioned a "potential" risk of long-term cancers.
More than six months after this announcement, the French authorities regret that Philips was too slow to replace defective devices.
But the ANSM also seeks to be reassuring to the patients concerned by urging them not to discard their devices.
A position also displayed by Christian Trouchot, in the press release: "I prefer to fear an uncertain and distant risk, by continuing to use the respirator, rather than facing a certain and immediate danger resulting from the cessation of treatment".
© 2022 AFP