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PIP breast implants: 'rupture rate low' say private clinics | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By James Gallagher Health reporter, BBC News | By James Gallagher Health reporter, BBC News |
The organisation which represents UK private breast implant clinics says the rupture rate of the banned PIP implants is not abnormally high. | |
The implants caused a health scare after French authorities found a rupture rate of 5%. | |
The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services (IHAS) says data collected from thousands of patients shows an average rate within the industry standard of 1-2%. | |
A UK review of the risk is due soon. | |
The implants by French firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) were banned in 2010 after they were found to contain industrial grade silicone gel, rather than medical grade. | |
The French Government says the implants should be removed as a precaution. Current UK Government advice is that there is no need to have the implants removed as Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) data suggested that the rupture rate is 1% - in line with other implants. | |
However, the health secretary Andrew Lansley ordered of the rupture rate after conflicting data was submitted. Some reports suggested a rate of up to 7% in the UK. | |
The latest figures support those from the MHRA. | |
The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services - which represents companies including Transform, The Harley Medical Group, Spire Healthcare, BMI Hospitals and The Hospital Group - reported a rate of 1-2%. | |
Its director Sally Taber said: "We are concerned that recent reports on rupture rates do not give a true reflection of the situation and are misleading. | |
"Following an audit of our members, which includes data on thousands of patients...we can confirm that the average rupture rates reported for PIP implants is within the industry standard of 1-2%." | |
Tim Goodacre, president of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), said: "Even if the rate is 1-2% I am still concerned as that is higher than the normal rate." | |
UK response | |
Key officials responsible for the UK's response to the health scare surrounding faulty breast implants have met. | Key officials responsible for the UK's response to the health scare surrounding faulty breast implants have met. |
Mr Lansley held discussions with the chief medical officer, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS medical director who is leading a review of the rupture rate data. | |
About 40,000 British women have been fitted with the implants. | About 40,000 British women have been fitted with the implants. |
The chief medical officer for England, Prof Dame Sally Davies, said before Christmas: "We currently have no evidence to make us think they should have the PIP breast implants removed." | The chief medical officer for England, Prof Dame Sally Davies, said before Christmas: "We currently have no evidence to make us think they should have the PIP breast implants removed." |
Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said: "We need to let Sir Bruce Keogh conduct the review before thinking about the next steps." | Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said: "We need to let Sir Bruce Keogh conduct the review before thinking about the next steps." |
The full review group will meet tomorrow to discuss the preliminary findings. An announcement is expected by the end of the week. | The full review group will meet tomorrow to discuss the preliminary findings. An announcement is expected by the end of the week. |
Globally more than 300,000 implants are believed to have been sold to 65 countries by PIP over the last 12 years. | Globally more than 300,000 implants are believed to have been sold to 65 countries by PIP over the last 12 years. |
More than half of its exports went to South America. | More than half of its exports went to South America. |