GPs could start to see an increase in claims for medical negligence compensation after it was revealed that about 600 females have got pregnant after an Implanon contraceptive implant has been fitted.
General practitioners have been warned that they need to be fully trained in fitting the implants after a sharp increase in the number of medical negligence claims.
In addition to the 600 pregnancies that have been reported to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, more than 1,000 other complaints about scarring and other issues have been made to the UK drug safety watchdog.
In the past 12 months, the Medical Defence Union has paid out £100,000 for six claims. That compares badly when you consider the MDU only had 29 claims for implant-related problems over the last ten years. The NHS has also paid out around £200,000 in compensation and there are more claims in the pipeline.
Over a million implants have been sold in this country since the device was licensed back in 1999. Most of them have been sold in the last five years. The device, which costs £90, is mainly popular with teenagers.
The MDU’s clinical risk manager, Dr Rupert Lee, called on GPs to receive proper training and explained that the most commonly used device has been updated so that it is easier to insert and locate if it becomes lost.
If you have had a problem with a contraceptive implant, contact a medical negligence solicitor who can advise you on the best action to take.