Nine cardiologists arrested: they would have implanted the devices in unsuspecting patients, using them as guinea pigs. Involved 12 companies
Brescia is also indirectly involved in the "Dirty Shirts" investigation conducted by the Nas of Parma, who arrested 9 cardiologists who allegedly implantedsent defective stents without the CE mark to their patients. The medical devices are produced by 12 companies, one of which is based in Brescia. Another 5 Italian companies involved (one based in Genoa and one in Milan) and another six are based abroad (two are in the USA, one in Belgium, one in Poland, one in Germany, one in Ireland).
The captain of Nas of Parma, Angelo Balletta, specified: "Of the doctors arrested only four were taken in Modena, one worked in a health facility in the Province of Bergamo and four others in public facilities in Rome". The investigation, conducted by the Nas of Parma and coordinated by the Modena prosecutor's office, led to the discovery of the existence of a proven organization made up of cardiologists and representatives of medical equipment suppliers involved in a round of corruption. Basically, unsuspecting patients were implanted with medical devices (stents, medical balloons for angioplasty) in an experimental phase, to test their validity. In practice, explains Captain Balletta, «patients found themselves involved in a clinical trial without being aware of it. And without therefore having signed the informed consent ». Not only. Some of these devices later turned out to be "defective and without even the CE mark". And
Online editorial staff (source Adnkronos Salute)
November 9, 2012 | 5pm! Corriere della Sera Brescia
