CONGRESSMAN LIEU RESPONSE TO OLYMPUS’ DECISION TO RECALL ITS MEDICAL SCOPES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in response to Olympus’ decision to recall its medical scopes.

“Olympus' belated decision to recall and replace its duodenoscopes confirms what lawmakers and regulators have been highlighting: design defects in these scopes were causing deadly infections in patients. Had Olympus initiated this recall sooner rather than blaming hospitals, numerous patients would not have been infected with antibiotic resistant superbugs, and less people would have died or been seriously injured.”

“Olympus’ decision needs to be monitored to determine its effectiveness since previous claims of effectiveness by Olympus have proven not to work. I also urge Pentax and Fuji, the other major duodenoscope manufacturers, to fix their design problems and recall their duodenoscopes.”

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