Korean patients who have developed a rare form of cancer caused by textured breast implants made by Allergan will receive full compensation for medical costs from the pharma multinational.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Monday said it agreed the compensation plan with the company.
Concerns that Allergan's breast implants can cause a rare cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) were raised years ago.
But Allergan recalled the implants around the world only after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on July 24 that its implants are about six times more likely to cause BIA-ALCL than other companies' products.
Under the compensation plan, Allergan will pay up to W1.2 million for a screening test when a patient is suspected of having BIA-ALCL, and if women want to replace their implants as a precaution, the company will provide new products for free (US$1=W1,199).
