Europe is updating rules on medical devices after implant fiasco

Pressure is growing for stricter European controls on medical devices and better traceability after the discovery of defective silicone gel breast implants manufactured by the French company Poly Implants Prosthèses (PIP).

The European Commission, after being questioned by a British Labour member of the European parliament, Linda McAvan, confirmed last week that it is working on updating existing medical devices legislation that came into force in March 2010.

While welcoming the move, Mrs McAvan suggested that because many women are unsure whether their breast implants are defective, …