Brazil on Friday announced a ban on French-made breast implants at the center of an international furor over their potential rupture risks. The National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA) withdrew its health authorisation for the implants, the sale of which had already been suspended since 2010.
Between 300,000 and 400,000 women in 65 countries from Europe to Latin America have implants made with sub-standard silicone gel by 72-year-old Jean-Claude Mas's now-bankrupt company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP). ANVISA reached its decision after France last week advised 30,000 women to have their PIP implants removed because of an increased risk of rupture. Brazil had imported 34,631 of the implants, including 24,534 which were sold before the 2010 suspension. ANVISA advised women to consult with their doctors over the risks of the implants.