Senate Inquiry on Transvaginal Mesh Implants Holds Public Hearings

Wednesday 20 September 2017 @ 12.02 p.m. | Legal Research

On 15 February 2017, the Senate referred the issue of transvaginal mesh implants to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report. The inquiry has been travelling around Australia to hear testimony from stakeholders on the issues.

Background

In 2005 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (‘TGA’) approved the use of transvaginal mesh implants in Australia, but did not trial the products before making the decision. Instead the decision followed the US approval of the implants. The implants were initially meant to treat uro-gynecological issues caused by child birth. However, many women experienced groin pain, exposed mesh, bleeding, pain and discomfort after the insertion of the mesh.

More than 700 women are currently involved in a class action against Johnson & Johnson Medical Australia and subsidiary companies Ethicon Inc. and Ethicon Sarl. Another 300 women are involved in another class action against American Medical Systems.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference in this inquiry are as follows:

  • The number of women in Australia who have had transvaginal mesh implants, and experienced adverse side effects and who had attempted to have the mesh removed;
  • Information provided to women before surgery about complications and side effects;
  • Information provided to doctors regarding the transvaginal mesh implants and possible side effects;
  • Anny financial incentives provided to doctors to use or promote transvaginal mesh implants;
  • The types and incidence of health problems experienced by women with transvaginal mesh implants and the impact these issues had on their lives;
  • The role of the TGA in investigating the suitability of the implants, role in ongoing monitoring of the suitability of the implants’ and the knowledge of women suffering with health problems after having the mesh implants;
  • Options available to women to have the mesh removed.

Media Response

Senator Rachel Siewert, Committee Chair, said in a media release:

“It is very important for the committee to hear directly from women who have had this surgery and the impact this has had on their lives, so the committee will allocate time for this at each of its public hearings.”

Earlier in 2017 Senator Derryn Hinch described the issue as:

“The biggest medical scandal for Australian women since thalidomide in the 1950s and 1960s, when kids were born without arms and legs. It has to be halted until it is proven safe because there are too many cases where this is crippling people for life.”

Future Directions

While the due date for submissions was 30 June 2017, the committee will continue to consider and accept submissions after that date. The report is expected on 30 November 2017.

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Sources:

The Senate Community Affairs References Committee, ‘ Number of Women in Australia Who Have Had Transvaginal Mesh Implants and Related Matters,’ Inquiry, terms of reference, media releases and other associated documents.

Megan Palin, ‘Damaged for life: Thousands of Australian women suffer devastating side effects in country’s ‘biggest medical scandal’,’ (news.com.au) 4 July 2017.

‘Medic ‘aghast’ at sex advice given to pelvic mesh victims,’ (news.com.au) 26 August 2017.

Charis Chang, ‘Women speak of horror of vaginal mesh implants before Senate inquiry in NSW,’ (news.com.au) 18 September 2017.

Christopher Maher, 'Vaginal mesh controversy shows collective failure of the TGA and Australia’s specialists,' (The Conversation) 7 June 2017.

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