Implant charges
January 27, 2012
The former head of the French breast implant company that caused a global health scare has been charged with "involuntary injury."
Jean-Claude Mas, founder of Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP), was arrested on Thursday morning, according to his lawyer. He was questioned and released on bail of 100,000 euros ($131,600) early Friday.
Mas's attorney, Yves Haddad, said his client told investigators about the responsibilities of company officials and his relations with suppliers.
Between 400,000 and 500,000 women around the world are estimated to have received implants made by PIP, which was shut down in 2010 after regulators discovered it was using sub-standard industrial grade silicone as a cost-saving measure.
Mas, speaking out for the first time in December, admitted to using the lower grade silicone, but denied they posed any potential health risks.
WHO weighs in
The World Health Organization (WHO) published a note on its website last week encouraging recipients of PIP implants to follow the health advice of their national health organizations.
"While the rupture rate of PIP prostheses was higher than expected in France, other national authorities reported varying rates," the statement said.
France, Germany and the Czech Republic have all recommended that the implants be removed. The UK's National Health Service has announced that it does not think the implants must be removed, but said concerned women could still do so.
"The NHS will support removal of PIP implants if the patient has concerns and, with her doctor, she decides that it is right to do so," NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh wrote on its website.
According to various national estimates some 42,000 women in Britain, more than 30,000 in France, 25,000 Brazilians, 9,000 Australians and 4,000 Italians received the implants.
In France, some 2,700 women have filed complaints against Mas, according to Reuters.
Author: Stuart Tiffen, Matt Zuvela (AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Martin Kuebler