By
Marion Scott Daily Record FiDA
highlight
MESH victims have become
concerned over the news that Dr
Fred Milani, who worked for one of the mesh manufacturers will be
investigating safety issues.
A doctor
who was once a consultant to one of the world’s biggest mesh manufacturers has
been appointed by the European
Commission to investigate safety issues.
The
appointment of Dutch urogynaecologist Dr Fred Milani has sparked concern among
mesh victims, who say they would have preferred someone with no ties to the
industry that they blame for their injuries.
We can
reveal that, less than two years ago, Dr Milani stated in medical papers that he had a “consultancy agreement”
with Ethicon, the Johnson & Johnson company who produce mesh
implants to treat pelvic organ prolapse and bladder problems.
The firm
also manufactured the TVT-O mesh implant device which was ruled as defective in
a US court of law two months ago.
Milani
co-authored a number of medical studies and papers with some of Ethicon’s
high-profile management team including Dr Piet Hinoul, former medical director
of Ethicon’s Gynecare women’s health and urology.
He has also
written medical papers with Ethicon’s clinical director in Scotland, Judi
Gauld, and Vanja Sikirica, another ex-associate director at Ethicon.
And in his
report to Holland’s Health Care Inspectorate into mesh complications last year,
it was noted Milani’s research was partially financed by Ethicon.
Campaigner
Olive McIlroy, 57, of Scottish Mesh Survivors, said: “This investigation will
have a huge influence across European countries in how they deal with the
emerging mesh injury crisis.
“We already
feel let down by doctors because so very few of them bothered reporting adverse
incidents, allowing the mesh industry and medical watchdogs to continue saying
the benefits outweigh the risks. It is vital that the victims have complete confidence in what happens
from now on.”
Despite
328 women having repeat surgeries to correct damage, just 12 cases were
reported by Scottish doctors.
Dutch
health experts have delivered new guidelines on mesh surgery but said a ban on
products was not in the best interests of patients.
However,
mesh will only be used in patients where traditional methods fail.
A spokeswoman for European Commissioner for Health Tonio Borg said:
“Strict rules are in place to assure an independent, excellent and transparent
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