Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 18:59:34 -0700 (PDT)

The Wall Street Journal

May 11, 2000

Rep. Blunt Faults FDA Saline Breast Implant Decision

Dow Jones Newswires

WASHINGTON - Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., urged the Food and Drug Administration to reverse its decision to allow saline breast implants to remain on the market.

"Why would the FDA allow such devices into the marketplace when they are likely to cause pain, hardship, distress and added expense for thousands of women?" the congressman asked in a prepared statement.

"The research is clear," the congressman said, saying the devices are "unsafe and pose a substantial risk to the lives and health of thousands of women."

As reported previously, the FDA said late Wednesday that saline-filled breast implants made by McGhan Medical Corp. and Mentor Corp. (MNTR), both of Santa Barbara, Calif., may remain on the market despite relatively high complication and failure rates. The agency said information on the risks should be made available to women so they can make informed decisions.

By John Connor, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9273.