Reports recently released by DePuy allegedly shows that their metal-on-metal hip implants failed after two and half years. The Telegraph also revealed they continued to market the implant after a surgeon warned the executive of manufacturing about painful symptoms patients were experiencing. The surgeon said they were suspected for putting metal ions into the bloodstream, which resulted in many revision surgeries. The chair of the Science and Technology Committee described the Telegraph’s disclosure as “appalling.” He believes the disclosure should call for a criminal investigation, rather than a civil one. All products used in the United Kingdom must be tested and should not be purchased if there are any doubts involving its safety, according to the chair.

Telegraph’s disclosure was revealed during the court case in Los Angeles, where the court will decide if patients should be compensated for the defective hip implants. Documents put on display revealed that DePuy was warned about the complaints involving the implant. 10,000 British citizens received the implant, which was suspected of putting hazardous metal ions into the bloodstream. In 2010, the product was taken off the market. The Daily Telegraph said that patients were being put at risk by regulators who sold the hip implants. In 2003, the implant was first introduced, and by 2006, an orthopedic surgeon was reporting dangerous side-effects. A year later, he stated he would not use the implants.

By 2007, the company released figures that showed the implants failed 10% of the time after two years. In 2008, the marketing department used different data to claim they had a 99% rate of success. 2008 tests by DePuy revealed that the ASR was not performing well compared to other hip replacement products, and that the ASR was susceptible to releasing metal ions. Another internal memo was released and said that the overall rate of complaints was eight times higher compared to the Pinnacle.

Loren Kransky is currently suing DePuy for failing to warn him that his metal hip implant could be faulty, and that the marketing claim that 99% of the hips were successful encouraged him to get the ASR implant. Another patient said she was angry they allowed the hip to be implanted despite the risks. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said they are currently investigating the safety of the metal-on-metal ASR hips by DePuy, according to news reports.