Skip to content

An ICIJ Investigation

Implant Files

Health authorities across the globe have failed to protect millions of patients from poorly tested implants, the first-ever global examination of the medical device industry reveals.

  • Medical devices improve and save lives, but governments have allowed products on the market with little or no human testing that went on to cause great harm
  • Devices pulled off the market in some countries over safety concerns remain for sale in others
  • The device industry, and the regulators that oversee it struggle to quickly identify hazardous implants after they are released, leaving patients exposed
  • Manufacturers, doctors, and others potentially linked more than 1.7 million injuries and nearly 83,000 deaths to medical devices in reports to U.S. regulators over the last decade
  • Some of the highest-profile controversies in recent years involve products marketed to women, including contraceptive coils, vaginal mesh, and breast implant

Do you have a story about corruption, fraud, or abuse of power?

ICIJ accepts information about wrongdoing by corporate, government or public services around the world. We do our utmost to guarantee the confidentiality of our sources.
LEAK TO ICIJ
ICIJ is dedicated to ensuring all reports we publish are accurate. If you believe you have found an inaccuracy let us know.