Letter from CEO, Gerald B. Blouch

On December 20, 2012 Invacare announced that the Company entered into a consent decree of injunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to previously announced inspectional observations at our corporate headquarters and Taylor Street wheelchair manufacturing facilities in Elyria, Ohio. The terms of the decree contain certain exceptions which permit Invacare to continue operations, with certain documentation requirements, to provide medically necessary devices for the consumers who need them, as well as ongoing replacement, service and repair of products already in use.

All other Invacare products that are not produced at or distributed from the Taylor Street facility, including Invacare’s respiratory therapy products, lifestyle products such as personal care, bath safety, homecare beds and standard wheelchairs, as well as continuing care products and supplies will remain available. The consent decree does not involve any other Invacare facilities or subsidiaries.

We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the FDA and believe it represents an important step forward for our Company. Over the past year, Invacare, as the industry leader, has made significant improvements to its quality and regulatory systems. We are committed to working cooperatively with the FDA to resolve the agency’s observations as quickly as possible.

As we work through this process, we will provide updates and additional information on this site.

We appreciate your continued support of Invacare, and we look forward to fulfilling our obligations under the terms of the agreement in a timely manner. We are confident that these improvements will make Invacare an even stronger company.

Gerald B. Blouch
President and Chief Executive Officer