The Arizona Senate gave preliminary approval in late January to a bill intended to increase patient awareness of the dangers of breast implants, as reported by Tucson.com.
The bill (SB 1001) would require that doctors provide individuals considering breast implants with the following information:
- A detailed description of the risks of breast implants and breast implant surgery
- Patient information materials from the manufacturer of the breast implant being used in the surgery, including warnings required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- An “informed consent checklist” with patient information about breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), breast implant illness, and the National Breast Implant Registry.
- How to file an adverse event report with the FDA when a patient has a reaction to breast implants. (e.g. breast implant illness or other symptoms)
The bill was transferred Feb. 1 to the Arizona House of Representatives, where lawmakers may vote on the bill, refer it to committee for further consideration, or decline to act.
If passed, the bill would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a Republican from Scottsdale.
Ongoing Efforts to Protect Arizona Breast Implant Patients
Last year, the Arizona Senate unanimously approved a bill (SB 1439) that would have brought doctors, breast implant manufacturers, and patients together to create an informed consent checklist that patients would need to sign before having breast implant surgery.
Despite passing the Senate unanimously and facing no vocal opposition from manufacturers or surgeons, as reported by Pinal Central, the bill died in committee.