The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is known, among other things, from the Panama Papers, in which names of companies and individuals were revealed that stole their money through the company in a tax haven. Although that is not always illegal, it caused a lot of outrage. Now the group turned to the lucrative market of medical implants. Their findings are an eye-opener to say the least. People, mostly women risk their life with no medical reason.

It is hardly recorded whether medical implants have side effects or other effects. Also, implants are tested on few people before they come on the market, according to worldwide research that Radar and Trouw report on Sunday.

The research looked at the possible risks of implant placement as pelvic floor mats and breast implants.

Radar reports that it concerns, for example, leaky implants, devices that give surges when it is not necessary or drop out, and tools that perforate organs, causing patients to suffer serious injury or even death.

In contrast to drugs that are extensively tested, implants come onto the market much easier, Trouw writes. An experiment with an experimental animal is often enough. When a drug test does not work well, test subjects can stop swallowing. This is more difficult with implants: they have to be removed surgically. That is why medical devices are often tested on smaller groups.

The research shows that medical devices that have been put on the market as ‘safe’ can be linked to 1.7 million injuries and nearly 83,000 deaths in the past ten years.

The data has become known because more than 250 journalists from 36 countries, united in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, have requested documents. The research, ‘The Implant Files’, took place after a Dutch proposal. 1,300 Wob requests were submitted to obtain confidential information.

In recent years, there has been a lot of fuss about health problems among women due to inadequate implants. French PIP breast implants were found to have an increased risk of tears and leaks and glass fiber particles were found on implants from the Brazilian manufacturer Silimed.