Euro health change after PIP scandal

NEW European rules on the safety of medical devices have been introduced in the wake of the worldwide scare over faulty PIP breast implants from France.

The new rules cover the 80-odd "notified bodies" in the European Union that are responsible for the inspection of 10,000 medical devices - from plasters to pacemakers.

"We now have a clearer basis for unannounced audits, sample testing, or joint assessments by notified bodies," said the Commissioner for Consumer Policy, Neven Mimica.

The new rules states that a member state can only designate a notified body after a "joint assessment" involving experts from the Commission and other nations. Authorities also will be required to regularly monitor notified bodies.

The inspection bodies for their part will have to randomly carry out unannounced factory audits and check for the substitution or adulteration of raw-materials.

A total of 16,426 women have had breast implants removed since it was found in 2011 that Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), manufactured in La Seyne-sur-Mer in the Var, were twice as likely to rupture as rival brands, and that the manufacturer used industrial silicone to fill them.

PIP founder Jean-Claude Mas, 73, has been charged with manslaughter and fraud. PIP's implants have been banned and the company has been liquidated.

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Photo: AFP Photo - Anne-Christine Poujoulat
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