Microlife Corporation
Microlife Corporation is a medical diagnostics company that specializes in the development and manufacture of blood pressure monitors, digital thermometers, Peak Flow Meters, heat therapy aids, blood glucose management devices and weight management devices. Microlife is currently the world's largest manufacturer of digital medical thermometers and a major provider of electronic blood pressure monitoring devices. The company maintains international divisions throughout the world.
History
Microlife was founded in Taipei, Taiwan in 1981. It was known as the "Micro Idea Instruments Co." upon its founding. Its first product was a digital medical thermometer and, in 1985. The company added blood pressure monitors to their product lines in 1995. A branch office was opened in Switzerland in 1996, and the first office in the United States was opened the following year. In 2002, Microlife acquired Maine-based Biddeford Blankets. Four years later, it acquired the Golden, Colorado-based medical diagnostic equipment manufacturer, HealtheTech.In 2009, the company became the first medical diagnostics manufacturer to produce a blood pressure monitor that detected both hypertension and atrial fibrillation. the firm entered into a partnership with PharmaSmart in 2012 in an effort to expand their reach in the United States.
The company teamed up with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a cost-effective blood pressure monitoring device designed for use in low- and middle-income countries. It has been used in countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Advertising activities of the Microlife company regarding slogans, e.g. "Recommended by doctors" or "Swiss products" violated the ethics of advertising, which was confirmed by, among others Advertising Council at a meeting of the advertising committee on February 11, 2015.