Brazil to fine for non-replacement of implants

— Brazil says it will fine private health plans that refuse to pay for the removal and replacement of faulty breast implants sold by two European companies.

The National Health Agency says in a Wednesday statement that health plans that do not pay for replacement of implants sold by France's Poly Implant Prothese and Dutch company Rofil Medical Nederland BV will be fined 80,000 reals (US$45,599) for each refusal. The agency regulates Brazil's private health plans.

Brazil recently banned sales of the implants, made with cheap, industrial-grade silicone instead of medical-grade gel.

Earlier this month the Health Ministry said the government or private health plans will pay for the removal of ruptured implants sold by the two firms.