Yesterday, following a safety review of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), Health Canada released a statement announcing the suspension of its licences for Allergan’s Biocell breast implants:

“Health Canada has completed an update to a 2017 safety review on breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and has found that the rate of BIA-ALCL in Canada is significantly higher in patients with macro-textured breast implants compared to other implants. As a result, because the potential risks associated with the implants outweigh their benefits, including the rare but serious risk of BIA-ALCL, Health Canada has suspended the licences for Allergan’s Biocell breast implants (the only macro-textured implants available in Canada).”

While this is welcome news at TAP Law, it’s been a long time coming. We first became immersed in all things related to BIA-ALCL two years ago when, on behalf of our client, Terri, we commenced what we believe was the first Canadian action against a manufacturer in a BIA-ALCL-related action.

BIA-ALCL is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma meaning it is a cancer of the immune system. According to Health Canada, there are 26 confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL, a staggering 85% of which involve the Biocell implants that are the subject of Health Canada’s suspension.

In our experience, Canadian women who chose to receive breast implants did so without knowing the truth about these implants and their potential dangers. At TAP Law, we believe that it is a woman’s right to be fully informed of all risks before making critical choices about her body and health. As a female owned and operated litigation boutique, we are passionate about this issue and will fight for Terri and the other women diagnosed with BIA-ALCL and other breast implant related illnesses who have now retained us to advocate on their behalf.