Pharmaceutical Allergan promotes non-vital aesthetic procedures that potentially pose health risks

In 2012, the World Health Organization alerted that silicone breast implants may pose health risks.[1]In 2018 the European Union and Canada, amid shocking findings, started to withdraw and prohibit certain types of silicone breast implants from the market as well as recommending women to have them removed.[2]

There have been increasing reports in the United States associating silicone implants with breast cancer and autoimmune syndrome.[3] The Food and Drugs Administration continuously updates recommendations on the risks of implants, as severe as cell lymphoma, a type of cancer.[4] To present, 964 women worldwide have been diagnosed with cell lymphoma,[5] and thousands are estimated to be at risk of developing the disease, which can take decades to emerge.[6] The cost of treating this deadly disease can run from $200,000 to $300,000.[7]

Allergen is regarded as a leading company in the breast aesthetics industry.[8] But in 2019, 84% of emerging global cases of cell lymphoma were attributed to Allergan’s breast implants, as well as 92% of the global deaths that were linked to specific manufactures.[9] It was demonstrated that the risk of cell lymphoma with Allergan BIOCELL textured implants was 6 times higher than the risk with implants from other manufacturers.[10] At the request of the FDA[11], Allergan reacted with a worldwide recall of their Biocell products.[12]

At an industry surrounded by a dubious history of product-liability lawsuits,[13]government recalls, weak oversight regulations, accusations of inadequate testing, and safety concerns, Allergan continues to sell breast implants and tissue expanders.[14] The FDA warned that although current Allergan Natrelle 133 and 133 Plus[15] tissue expanders have not been associated with cell lymphoma, they both have Biocell texture, and may constitute a risk for health.[16]

In light of the Company’s history, Allergan should assess the adverse effects of its non-vital products more thoroughly, and cease to sell those that potentially impose a risk to women’s health.

Sources

[1] https://www.who.int/csr/don/2012_01_17/en/ [2] https://www.medtechdive.com/news/fda-directly-links-allergan-biocell-implants-with-cancer-risk-prompting-re/559419/ [3] https://www.oncnursingnews.com/web-exclusives/fda-demands-more-information-on-cancer-and-illnesses-caused-by-breast-implants [4] https://www.fda.gov/media/131885/download page. 8. [5] https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/health-policy/bia-alcl-physician-resources [6] https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/37/3/285/2981931 [7] https://fortune.com/longform/breast-implants-dangerous-allergan-abbvie-acquisition/ [8] https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/breast-aesthetics-market.html [9] https://www.medtechdive.com/news/fda-directly-links-allergan-biocell-implants-with-cancer-risk-prompting-re/559419/ [10] https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/allergan-recalls-natrelle-biocell-textured-breast-implants-due-risk-bia-alcl-cancer [11] https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/allergan-recalls-natrelle-biocell-textured-breast-implants-due-risk-bia-alcl-cancer [12] https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/allergan-recalls-natrelle-biocell-textured-breast-implants-due-risk-bia-alcl-cancer [13] https://fortune.com/longform/breast-implants-dangerous-allergan-abbvie-acquisition/ [14] https://www.medtechdive.com/news/fda-directly-links-allergan-biocell-implants-with-cancer-risk-prompting-re/559419/ [15] https://www.allergan.com/products/natrelle-133 [16] https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/allergan-recalls-natrelle-biocell-textured-breast-implants-due-risk-bia-alcl-cancer