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Most of us take the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for granted. However, a recent issue involving the National Health Service (NHS), a key British organization for citizens seeking medical advice, provides us with reason to be pleased with our American counterpart. The NHS is ignoring the facts related to defective vaginal mesh while those fighting the organization are pointing to warnings issued by the FDA.
The NHS appears to be ignoring research studies that show the dangers of defective vaginal mesh. One such recent study found that 40 percent of women experienced pain, perforation, or erosion of the implants while another revealed the same problems in 75 percent of participants. Yet another study conducted in Europe found more than half of the patients studied experienced alarming complications. Yet, the NHS is telling women that less than three percent of users will experience problems.
Because of these disconnects between what has been scientifically found and what the official health site for the UK is promoting, numerous groups have arisen to call for change. The groups are asking Parliament to intercede on behalf of women throughout the UK and are even including reports provided by the FDA.
In 2008, the FDA published a Public Health Notification warning of the harmful effects of using vaginal mesh implants. In 2011, the FDA updated this information to read that complications from these defective medical devices are ‘not rare.’ According to the FDA, complications include erosion of the device, infections, bleeding, pain, especially during sexual intercourse, urinary problems, and organ perforation. The report further stated that use of the transvaginal mesh creates risks not present in traditional pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repairs. The conclusion was clear: The best course of action for women needing POP surgical repairs is to avoid vaginal mesh.
What can be taken from this extreme example of government gone bad is that consumers must learn to make informed decisions regarding their medical treatment. The NHS has failed to provide consumers in the UK with accurate information related to vaginal mesh, but at least the FDA is responding properly. Still, consumers must be careful. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology cites that this defective medical device is still an acceptable implant. And while warning against it, the FDA has yet to ban its use. Some physicians continue to use it for POP repairs.
The reality is that no one can afford to simply take their doctor’s advice any longer. The forces of corporate revenue fight daily against the forces of accepted medical science and, sadly, science often loses. This is the reason Philadelphia defective medical device lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler fight so hard for clients. If you live anywhere in the Philadelphia area, including New Jersey, Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia County and have been harmed by a vaginal mesh implant, contact us online or call now 800-369-0899 or 215-569-4000 for immediate assistance.