Sasha Chavkin, IJIC: July 24, 2019.
Allergan will recall its Biocell textured breast implants worldwide after United States health authorities requested that it remove them from the market due to their association with a rare cancer of the immune system.
The announcement, which reflects the most sweeping recognition to date of the serious health risks associated with breast implants, comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration obtained new data showing that Allergan implants were linked to most known cases of the cancer, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
“Once the evidence indicated that a specific manufacturer’s product appeared to be directly linked to significant patient harm, including death, the FDA took action to alert the firm to new evidence indicating a recall is warranted to protect women’s health,” said FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Amy Abernethy, in a statement issued by the agency.
The company said the recalled implants, both saline and silicone, would no longer be distributed or sold in any market where they are currently available.
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President of the National Center for Health Research Diana Zuckerman, who has called for stricter oversight of breast implants, said Allergan’s recall was a step in the right direction but did not eliminate the risks of BIA-ALCL.
“When women decide to get breast implants for reconstruction after mastectomy or for breast augmentation, they should not be putting their lives at risk for lymphoma,” Zuckerman said.
“This recall will reduce that risk but it won’t eliminate it, because the FDA has stated that not all women with BIA-ALCL had these specific types of implants.”
In its press conference, the FDA said that it was considering additional measures to protect patient safety.
The agency said it would soon announce updated labeling standards for breast implants, and that these might include a black box safety warning, which is reserved for products that pose the most serious health risks.
The FDA also said it might require a patient checklist, a document that briefly states the key health risks from breast implants which patients would sign before undergoing surgery. The agency is not recommending that women who currently have Allergan Biocell implants get their implants removed, unless they experience signs or symptoms of BIA-ALCL.
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