More breast implants may contain unapproved silicone, Medicines Board warns

It is now feared that more Irish women than previously thought may have been fitted with PIP breast implants.

The Irish Medicines Board has updated its advice on the implants this evening, saying that while previous concerns related to those who underwent surgery between 2001 and 2010, new evidence shows there may also be problems with implants manufactured prior to 2001.

The French firm which manufactured the PIP prosthetics used unapproved commercial-grade silicone.

The IMB said that its now advising implanting clinics of the latest development, asking them to contact any women here who may be affected.

Following an investigation by the UK regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), French authorities said this week that PIP implants made before 2001 may also contain the unauthorised silicone.