As of July, 2007, eBay is no longer allowing the sale of pulse oximeters on its site, with the exception of oximeters designed only for use in sports or aviation.  All oximeters that are designed for medical use are now prohibited.  This guide will help you understand why this change has been made, and what it means to you.

The Reason for the Ban

Over the past year, some eBay sellers started listing inexpensive, poorly made pulse oximeters that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  These oximeters were illegal to sell in the United States, because they were unable to pass the FDA testing process and were very inaccurate.  (For more information, see our Important Information about Pulse Oximeters and the FDA guide.)  Since eBay employees do not have the specialized knowledge it takes to determine which oximeters were FDA-approved, and which were not, they were unable to police the oximeter listings, and prevent these illegal oximeters from being sold.  As a result, they have banned the sale of all medical oximeters on the eBay site.

Which Oximeters Are Allowed

Currently, only three pulse oximeter models are allowed to be sold on eBay.  They are the CheckMate 1000, by SPO Medical, and the FlightStat & SportStat, by Nonin.  All of these oximeters are designed for use in sports or aviation, and should not be used by people who want to monitor their oxygen levels because of a medical issue.  Although you may see other oximeters being sold on eBay, the listings for them are in violation of eBay policy, and will be removed from the site when they are discovered by eBay staff. 

Medical Oximeters

So, what can you do if your doctor or other healthcare professional has suggested that you get a pulse oximeter for medical use?  You can contact your local medical supply store, but their prices will be much, much higher than those of online companies.  Your best option is to find a reputable medical supply seller on eBay, and contact them by telephone or email to discuss your options.  Remember to make sure the company you contact sells only FDA-approved oximeters.  For more information on the different types of oximeters available, see our Pulse Oximeter Facts and Tips guide.

Summary

Although you can no longer buy medical oximeters on eBay, now we can all have the peace of mind of knowing that someone won't become seriously ill, or worse, because they purchased an inaccurate, non-FDA-approved oximeter here.  When it comes to any matter that affects your health, it's important to deal only with reputable, honest companies that follow the rules of eBay, and the law, in general.  The ban of medical pulse oximeters on eBay has made it easier for you to do that.

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