Emergency services - fda approves over-the-counter defib sales

Author

fda approves over-the-counter defib sales

danny burstein

2004-09-21, 3:31 am

"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today granted marketing clearance for
the first time for the over-the-counter sale of an automatic external
defibrillator designed specifically for lay users. The device shocks the heart
to restore rhythm in people who are experiencing cardiac arrest.

"The device, the HeartStart Home Defibrillator manufactured by Philips
Medical Systems of Andover, Mass., is already available with a
prescription for use at home. Today's clearance means it can now be
purchased for home use without a prescription.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWE...4/ANS01314.html

_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
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David Jewel

2004-09-21, 3:31 am

I dunno personally I see it as a good thing. They are now teaching AED
training as part of CPR and to me those AEDs are nearly Idiot proof. Notice
I didnt say entirely.. But then again we've seen time and time again where
proper tools are mis-used does that mean they still shouldnt be available to
the general public because some idiot killed himself? (IE Cars and what
not). Nothing is fool proof in this world but anything that can help
Pre-Arrival for a Cardiac Survivor is a bonus to me.

"Alan Erskine" <alanerskine1@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:Ewr2d.33412$D7.195@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> "Carey Gregory" <tiredofspam123@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:qdekk0tdlfccfmtnifk6h0b3566ev46gc7@4ax.com...
>
> I don't think any equipment for life support should be in untrained
> hands -
> even something as basic as a first aid kit can cause problems if it's not
> used properly. Something like a defibrilator would be just as bad.
>
>
> --
> Alan Erskine
> We can get people to the Moon in five years,
> not the fifteen GWB proposes.
> Give NASA a real challenge
> Alanterskine1@bigpond.com
>
>