When a patient uses medication or a medical device, they are putting a significant amount of trust in those who provided them with it, as well as the original manufacturer of the product. Because the quality of medicine and medical devices is so important, there is a dedicated government agency, called the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which makes sure that medicines and medical devices are fit for use?
The MHRA has an essential role to play because when medicines and medical devices fail, the effects on the people using them can be disastrous, potentially having long-lasting repercussions for the victim, physically, emotionally, and financially. The agency is largely responsible for the following:
- Making sure that all medicines, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion meet required safety standards
- Ensuring that the supply chain for medicines is secure
- Educating the public and healthcare professionals about the risks and benefits of medicines and medical devices. Some of the MHRA's most recent objectives involve raising awareness about fake or unlicensed medication sold online and putting a stop to the illegal sale of such medication.
In the UK, all medical devices must comply with the Medical Devices Regulations to receive the CE mark. If a device is believed to be non-compliant with the regulations, then it is the MHRA's duty to carry out an investigation of the manufacturer, which could possibly lead to the recall of the device and prosecution against the manufacturer.
The risks of defective medical devices
Two of the most prominent cases in recent years have been the scandal over certain defective breast implants - in which the the silicone implants produced by the French company Poly Implant Prostheses were found to have a rupture risk of twice the the rate of other implants - and issues with certain metal-on metal-hip replacements, which have been known to cause a type of poisoning known as metallosis.
Other examples include:
- Defective blood products, such as those infected with Hepatitis C or haemophilia, for example
- Contraceptive devices
- Insulin pumps
- Thalidomide
- MESH
Expert solicitors who are on your side
You and your family should not be left to suffer in silence as the result of another's negligence. If you or anyone in your family has suffered an injury or illness that was caused by a defective medical product, then this is a case of medical negligence you could be entitled to some compensation.
Approaching each and every case with sensitivity and dedication, Thompsons Solicitors is the leading personal injury legal firm in the country. We only work for victims and are proud to campaign for better patient conditions and treatments.
To find out more, give us a call today on 0800 0891 331 and talk things through with one of our experts.
