PUGH MP DEMANDS TOUGH ACTION ON DANGEROUS BREAST IMPLANTS

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

John Pugh MP called today for private companies refusing to replace possibly dangerous PIP breast implants to be banned from practising breast augmentation.  The scandal over the implants emerged following the news that the deaths of several women in France were linked to faulty breast implants which had also been given to tens of thousands of women in the UK.

Many private companies are now refusing to replace the implants, arguing that their failure rates are well within industry acceptable standards.  However, some statistics show that the percentage of PIP breast implants with problems could be as high as 7%, potentially representing a serious health risk.

The French Health Service has already agreed to pay for all operations to replace PIP implants, a move followed by the Welsh branch of the NHS yesterday.  The English NHS will only offer replacements to those women who originally received their implants through the NHS, or removals for those whose private suppliers have since gone out of business or who refuse to replace them, potentially costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds.

Speaking in Parliament this afternoon, John Pugh MP asked the Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley as to why private companies refusing to accept their obligations to provide safe replacement implants to those affected are not simply prohibited from being able to practice.  He questioned:

"If the Government are paying for something that is needed, it is logical to assume that some private firms must be dodging their responsibilities. If those firms are not indemnified against the risks of surgery or willing to accept responsibility for its consequences, why on earth do we allow them to practise? Does the remedy not lie in our hands?"

Andrew Lansley responded that he had no power in relation to the provision of healthcare services by private companies.

John Pugh took the time later in the day to comment further on the debate.  He remarked:

"It seems astounding to me that even though these companies are refusing to accept the obligations incumbent upon them when they performed the surgery, the Secretary of State seems to be unable to respond in an effective manner and prohibit these companies from practicing.  They have, in effect, provided faulty and potentially dangerous goods, and it should not fall to the NHS and the British taxpayer to correct this mistake."