Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Letters BMJ Christmas appeal

Why are the chosen pulse oximeters so expensive?

BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e210 (Published 17 January 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e210

Rapid Response:

Re: Why are the chosen pulse oximeters so expensive?

Dear Editors,

I was the first to write about the elevated cost of Lifebox pulse oximeters. [1]

I was the first who provided evidence for the existence of other, FDA approved, CE marked, TUV certified, high quality pulse oximeters which sell for 15 pounds, with free packing and postage to any Country in the World.

I was the first who proposed a change of provider, in order for the BMJ to help even more doctors in Developing Countries, for the same amount of money.

I was the first to report that rechargeable devices (like Lifebox pulse oximeter) are not very practical in a setting where electricity is often generator-produced, for only some hours in a day.

I was the first to answer to various Lifebox trustees who erroneously stated that their efficiency-safety-durability and accuracy tests were superior to those performed by the FDA, CE and TUV, for the other oximeters in the market.

And yet, for the BMJ’s printed edition you selected Dr Anne Savage’s later, but also excellent, letter [2] and not any of mine.

I wonder why.

References

[1] Stavros Saripanidis' Rapid Response, dated 20 December 2011, but mailed 10 days prior:

http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7773?tab=responses

[2] Anne Savage's Rapid Response, dated 22 December 2011:

http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d8085?tab=responses

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 January 2012
Stavros Saripanidis
Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Private Surgery
Thessaloniki, Greece