Canadian Broadcasting Corp. investigation of medical devices

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, (CBC) has recently aired two programs on medical devices, and has compiled a website on many medical devices, including their side effects.

According to the CBC, adverse effects from medical devices are poorly tracked/reported, and Health Canada is "secretive' about this information. The following is the CBC's "Implant Files"; information on medical devices, and their side effects:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/implant-files-investigation-medical-devices-1.4924384


The following is a CBC Fifth Estate program about a permanent contraceptive device for women, called Essure.

This TV program advises 20,000 women are suing for damages due to this device. Health Canada reported one adverse reaction to Essure, and according to this TV program is secretive about how the approval for this device came about. The Fifth Estate noted 10s of thousands of women in online forums who have concerns and health problems they relate to Essure:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/fifth-estate-essure-implant-files-1.4925978

The CBC TV program Marketplace went undercover shopping for breast implants to see how they are marketed, and if side effects are cautioned about. One chemist, who has researched breast implants for decades, said all breast implants will break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL3AoEVGxvE

What is strikingly familiar in both shows is that both devices are: for women; when problems arise, women are often told they are imagining them; to a certain extent, problems are denied, or said to be rare; the health effects are far reaching, and extremely problematic; often women were not informed of any possible adverse effects; Health Canada was very reluctant to reveal adverse effects/supplied none/supplied minimal information. Neither device has been taken off the market, although Bayer, has reduced the availability of essure due to some sort of "business issue".

 

As I was channel surfing I saw a segment of the show on breast implants. It's very disappointing to know that this is happening here in Canada.

 

Further points about these devices noted in both these CBC programs:

- there are mixed messages about the safety of these devices.​

- women on these shows said they had trouble finding information about the downsides of these devices, or were given mixed messages about the safety, longevity etc.

- there is a partial video of the one-day FDA approval process for Essure on the Fifth Estate program

- one member of the FDA panel said Essure should be followed for 4 or 5 years; instead Essure was approved after following less than 1000 women for 2 years