Potential Harmful Effects of Medical Implants Ignored by EU, Claims Parliament Committee

A parliamentary committee in Britain has warned that the European Union is not doing enough to make sure that patients are protected by potential harmful effects of medical implants.

The report released by the Science and Technology Select Committee said that the EU is too slow in bringing about new regulations regarding medical implants, including hip replacement joints, and while it is changing the current regulations, they will not come into effect until 2015.

Andrew Miller, the chairman of the committee, said that different notified bodies vary in measuring quality and manufacturer often search for those countries that have the least stringent regulations.

"There is an urgent need for more transparency in the regulatory system so that patients and doctors know where their implant is coming from, and crucially whether the product has previously been turned down by other regulatory bodies. I think in the interests of patients we would get a better system in place if the commission speeded up the process to revise current regulations", Miller said.



Source: Medindia