A national register logging every breast implant
operation carried out in England is to be set up to prevent a repeat of
the PIP scandal.
The Government has published provisional plans to improve the cosmetics industry in the wake of the scandal.Nearly 50,000 British women unknowingly bought industrial-grade silicone from French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), with hundreds suffering ruptures.
The UK cosmetics industry is rapidly expanding. The industry was worth an estimated £2.3bn in 2010, and is estimated to rise to £3.6bn by 2015.
In response, Sir Bruce Keogh was commissioned to carry out a review. The Government supports many of his recommendations, including:
:: To pilot a new register to record what breast implants are used.
:: The Royal College of Surgeons will create new qualifications and standards for cosmetic surgery.
:: A clampdown on advertising to ensure no more breast implants are awarded as competition prizes or time-limited deals.
:: Legislation will ensure that surgeons have to compensate for an injuries caused.
Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter told Sky News: "For too long, the cosmetics industry has been completely unregulated and there are too many tales of women who have been exploited, and of lives ruined by rogue cosmetic firms and practitioners.
