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Pacemaker recall

Helen Palmer Jun 27, 2006

TEXT OF STORY

MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: Medical Device maker Boston Scientific is recalling thousands of defective heart pacemakers and defibrillators due to electrical faults. More problems in products made by Guidant, purchased recently by Boston Scientific. From the Health Desk at WGBH, Helen Palmer has more.


HELEN PALMER: Heart devices Boston Scientific inherited from Guidant have been plagued with malfunctions. Over 300,000 have now been recalled or carry safety warnings. Yesterday Boston Scientific warned that there were even more design flaws to fix.

Analyst David Gardner in with Millennium Research.

DAVID GARDNER: Boston Scientific’s taking a very proactive approach and they’re looking to outstretch and work with the physicians.

Gardner says this latest glitch is less serious than the faults with Guidant heart regulators revealed last year. Gardner thinks the current recall will tamp down demand short-term, but sees strong growth ahead.

GARDNER: Between 10 and 15% would be a conservative estimate. I can’t imagine it falling much lower than that.

Given that growth potential, Gardner says Guidant was still a good investment.

In Boston, I’m Helen Palmer for Marketplace.

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