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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
breast implant surgery; informed consent
Purpose
Beginning January 1, 2022, requires a physician to provide a patient with breast implant surgery information and obtain the patient's informed consent prior to surgery. Directs the Arizona Medical Board (AMB) and the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery (ABOE) to convene a workgroup to develop an informed consent checklist by December 1, 2021.
Background
The U.S. Congress passed the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in 1976 granting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over breast implants which were previously unregulated. In the 1980s, breast implants were classified as Class III medical devices and as such are required to obtain pre-market approval (PMA) and review by the FDA to consider the device's safety and effectiveness. According to the FDA, Class III medical devices have the most stringent regulatory controls and are generally devices that support or sustain human life, prevent the impairment of human health or present a potential unreasonable risk of illness or injury to the patient. Typically, a PMA submission to the FDA is required to obtain approval to market a Class III medical device; however, a few Class III medical devices are required to only have a 510(k) cleared by the FDA to be marketed. Examples of Class III medical devices that require a PMA are replacement heart valves, silicone gel-filled breast implants and implanted cerebella stimulators (FDA).
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) was first identified in 1997. Other countries, including France and Australia, have additionally experienced reports citing a correlation between breast implants and ALCL. In 2011, the FDA issued a warning regarding ALCL in women with these medical devices, stating that such women are believed to have a small but increased risk of developing ALCL (FDA Warning).
Currently, the Plastic Surgery Foundation, in collaboration with the FDA and breast implant device manufacturers, has developed the National Breast Implant Registry (NBIR) to strengthen national surveillance for breast implant devices in the United States. The purpose of the NBIR is to create a database that collects information on breast implant procedures and devices and to identify trends and other data that may be used to improve patient safety (NBIR).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, beginning January 1, 2022, specified licensed physicians to provide a patient with breast implant surgery information prior to a breast implant surgery, either in writing or electronically, including:
a) descriptions of the risks of breast implants and of the surgical procedures used in breast implant surgery;
b) manufacturer materials for patients regarding the implants to be used in the surgery, including any FDA warning requirements;
c) an informed consent checklist for physicians to review with the patient prior to surgery that must provide information on breast implant-associated ALCL, breast implant illness and the NBIR; and
d) information on how a patient can report adverse effects associated with breast implants through the FDA MedWatch Program.
2. Requires physicians to obtain written informed consent from a patient before performing breast implant surgery.
3. Directs the AMB and ABOE, by December 1, 2021, to convene a workgroup that includes licensees and patient advocates in order to develop an informed consent checklist.
4. Requires the workgroup to review and update the checklist as necessary.
5. Classifies, as unprofessional conduct, knowingly violating the breast implant surgery information and informed consent requirements and specifies such physicians are subject to disciplinary action.
6. Defines breast implant surgery.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 8, 2021
CRS/kja