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PIP breast implants scare: Key UK officials meet PIP breast implants: 'rupture rate low' say private clinics
(about 1 hour later)
By James Gallagher Health reporter, BBC NewsBy 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.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley held discussions with the chief medical officer, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the NHS medical director. 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.
A review of the risk is due this week.
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.
Current UK government advice is that there is no need to have the implants removed as MHRA data suggests that the rupture rate is 1% - in line with other 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."
Channel differences
This was in contrast to France, where the rupture rate was reported as 5%. There officials said the implants should be removed as a precaution and the government would cover the costs.
Mr Lansley ordered a review of the rupture rate after conflicting rupture rate data was submitted. It is being led by the NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh.
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.
Tim Goodacre, president of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), is part of the group.
He has told the BBC he believes that all the implants should be removed.
"These implants have been in for a while and there is no immediate cause for concern, there's no cancer risk, and even if implant gels have ruptured, there's no evidence to suggest that that in itself is of any major health detriment.
"But given the fact there is a degree of uncertainty and a lack of knowledge, we're recommending all implants come out."
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.