MHRA Figures Reveal Increase In Reports Of Problems Across 2013

Lawyers representing victims who have suffered problems with metal-on-metal hip implants and other defective medical devices have called for tighter regulations to be applied, after figures revealed an increase in adverse incident reports in relation to such products.

According to the figures from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the number of incident reports it received in relation to faulty devices rose from 10,984 in 2011 to 13,642 in 2013.

The research also revealed that more than a third of reports related to serious injuries involving a medical device, with surgical and patient monitoring products and fluid management products accounting for the majority of the statements.

The third most common type of report were those relating to orthopaedic implants such as metal-on-metal hip replacement devices, with the number of reports increasing dramatically from just 608 in 2011 to 1,462 in 2013.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Medical Law and Patients’ Rights team, which represents a number of people injured as a result of being fitted with faulty hip replacement devices such as the DePuy ASR model, described the figures as a stark warning on the need for improvement in regulation.

Our experienced medical negligence claims team will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you have suffered as the result of a defective or faulty medical product or medicines. View our Defective Medical Products Drugs Or Medicines Claims page for more information.