It has recently been discovered that in recent years, thousands of breast implant operations were performed which have harmed women’s health. Investigations have confirmed that Pip (Poly implants prosthesis) brand implants contained not only industrial silicone but also chemical additives which are present in fuel, and that the implants were not tested before being placed on the market.

It has been calculated that over 5 000 implants have been used in Italy, but the scandal is international, involving all European countries and the USA. According to the Ministry for Health 5000 women are at risk in Italy alone, but Codacons, which sent a request for clarification to Minister of Health Balduzzi, believes the figure is much higher, particularly in relation to the European Institute of Oncology’s admission that it used the implicated implants in 2000-2001, when its scientific director, Umberto Veronesi, was also Minister for Health.

In light of the above facts, the Commission is kindly asked to answer the following questions: