Members of J&J faulty implant panel awaiting official message
NEWDELHI: The subcommittee set up by the Union health ministry in November last year following the payouts for Johnson & Johnson (J&J) faulty implants is caught up in red tape, with some of its members claiming they have not yet been informed that they are a part of the panel.
On November 29, the Drug and Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), a statutory body, had announced the constitution of a 10-member subcommittee to fix compensation for faulty medical devices, especially in cases of death and injury.
“I have not received any information, maybe I missed their email,” said one of the members, on the condition of anonymity.
The faulty Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip implants, manufacturedbydepuyinternational Limited, a subsidiary of J&J Pvt Ltd, were recalled in 2010 globally after complaints of more than usual revision surgeries due to complications such as metal leaching and infections, among others. In November, the health ministry approved compensations between ₹30 lakh and ₹1.23 crore for patients who received J&J’S faulty hip implants before August 2010.
Another member of the panel said he had also not received offi-
cial intimation but had been informally told about the subcommittee by another committee member. “I got to know that I was a part through a committee member...there is a miscommunication, it isn’t deliberate,” he said, requesting anonymity.
Pavan Choudary, chairman, Medical Technology Association of India (MTAI), who is also a committee member, said he has begun preparations although he is yet to be informed about the first meeting. Mtal represents medical device companies.
“It’s an intricate and mammoth task. Even the preparation
requires taking many technical angles into account... MTAI compliments CDSCO [Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation] and DTAB and reposes trust in their prioritisation of the tasks involved,” he added.
Committee chairman, Dr BD Athani, principal consultant with directorate general of health services, confirmed a meeting has not been scheduled yet.
“There is a due process that needs to be followed. You cannot hold a meeting if most members are not available...,” said a health ministry official, requesting anonymity.