London — Following the Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) breast implant scandal, the U.K. has begun a review of the cosmetic surgery industry, which may have far-reaching implications.
Bruce Keogh, medical director of the National Health Service, will lead a group tasked with investigating and making recommendations to the government by March 2013, Reuters reports.
The investigations come in the wake of the PIP breast implant scandal, in which as many as 400,000 women worldwide were given silicone breast implants of substandard quality by the French firm.
Other cosmetic procedures, such as facelifts, botulinum toxin injections and liposuction, will also be under review by the panel.
“The recent problems with PIP breast implants have shone a light on the cosmetic surgery industry,” Mr. Keogh is quoted as saying. “Many questions have been raised, particularly around the regulation of clinics, whether all practitioners are adequately qualified, how well people are advised when money is changing hands, aggressive marketing techniques, and what protection is available when things go wrong."
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