HIMA (Health Industry Manufacturers Association) calls for politicians to use "sound science"
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The US Health Industry Manufacturers Association (HIMA) has sent a letter to members of Congress asking them to ensure that the regulation of medical devices is based on sound science. The letter, signed by newly-installed HIMA president Pamela Bailey, refers to the recent report by the Institute of Medicine finding no link between silicone breast implants and chronic disease and the report by former US surgeon general Dr Everett Koop confirming the safety of vinyl in medical products (see Clinica No 864, pp 14 and 15). Both these reports show the importance of weighing the scientific research instead of rushing to judgement based on inconclusive or inappropriate junk science. Such a rush helped precipitate the biomaterials shortage a few years ago, Ms Bailey noted.