Philips sales halted ==> cpap shortage?

I see Philips is in pretty big trouble with the FDA (https://www.reuters.com/business/health ... 024-01-29/).

How much market share have they had historically? I'm a little paranoid that the supply of machines will go way down, and if my machine breaks (I'm a Resmed user) I won't be able to get a replacement for a long time, which would be very, very bad. (So I was thinking of getting an extra machine, though that would cost a few hundred as insurance wouldn't cover it, and I'd have to somehow get my prescription to the online seller I have in mind, which is a hassle I'd rather not deal with if I could be persuaded that my paranoid concern is overblown.)

dh37 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 09, 2024 1:11 pm

if my machine breaks (I'm a Resmed user) I won't be able to get a replacement for a long time

I won't make any predictions about shortages, but most experienced users recommend that everyone keep a backup machine even in times when machines are plentiful. I always have.

dh37 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 09, 2024 1:11 pm

How much market share have they had historically?

As of 2015, nearly a third of the U.S. market, as I understand it:

"The sleep apnea devices market is highly consolidated, with ResMed and Philips Respironics accounting for a considerable percentage of the overall revenue. Other manufacturers include Natus Medical, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, DeVilbiss Healthcare, and CareFusion. For instance, ResMed is the market leader (with ~45% of market share), followed by Philips (30%), and Fisher/Paykel (12%). The remaining 13% of the market space is being divided up between many other small players (InnoMed, DeVilbiss, Drive, and TAP, just to name a few). These companies all focus on a full range of sleep products."--https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data ... %20a%20few

And as for . . .

dh37 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 09, 2024 1:11 pm

if I could be persuaded that my paranoid concern is overblown.

My imaginary black-ops-dream-police buddies wanted me to pass along to you that everyone is most certainly out to get you.

When Philips had to recall all their machines, there definitely was a shortage for a while. But as far as I can tell, ResMed has picked up the slack to the point where our hosts at cpap.com are selling ResMed Autoset 10's at a third of the former retail price, and they seem to have plenty in stock. I am also seeing some people are getting other brands from DME's (e.g. Luna) and especially in Europe, but I don't know if those are good machines and I don't think they work with Oscar or Sleep HQ.

I was due for a new one anyway (my last machine "exceeded it's predicted motor life") but I got one for around $300 late last year from cpap.com. Now they are up to $449 https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... t-humidair But that's still much less than the $1200 it used to cost retail. Meanwhile, if you have DME coverage, you and your insurance company will pay at least $1,200 for a new machine. Crazy!

I'm keeping my old machine as a backup, but if you're worried, now might be a good time to buy a backup if you don't have one (or see if they have holiday sales at the end of the year again).

dh37 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 09, 2024 1:11 pm

paranoid that the supply of machines will go way down,

Not if ResMed's Singapore plant has its way. According to ResMed CEO Mick Farrell:

“We have the capability in that plant to take the whole of the market’s needs for production."--https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing ... ap-demand/

My only fear is that once ResMed becomes a virtual worldwide monopoly in high-quality PAP blowers, pricing for online-purchasing patients could go back to being ugly again. ResMed has already shown its true colors years ago with its aggressive online pricing controls.

Just sharing my paranoia.

It's only paranoia if they are really NOT out to get you.

In addition, if shortages are limited to Philips models; no biggie, really.

There won't be a shortage long-term. ResMed, Fisher & Paykel, and other manufactures will pick up the slack.

It would be better if DeVillbiss had not backed away from respiratory products.
Competition nearly always benefits the consumer.