A now-defunct firm called Spinal Solutions, LLC, has allegedly produced and distributed counterfeit rods and screws for use in spinal surgeries. The business has been accused of making the hardware at a local tool shop, destroying records of their origins, and passing them off as FDA-approved.
South California doctors have implanted the counterfeit hardware in thousands of surgical patients, placing them at risk of infection because the metal isn't surgical grade. There is also a danger that these cheap knock-offs could loosen or fail. Some of the screws cost only $300 to produce, but patients were billed up to $12,500 for each one.
Surgery carries enough risk without patients having to worry about counterfeit metals being inserted into their backs. Please sign the petition to urge the FDA to monitor the surgical hardware trade more closely and crack down on counterfeiters!
As you may know, now-defunct firm called Spinal Solutions, LLC, has allegedly produced and distributed counterfeit rods and screws for use in spinal surgeries. The business has been accused of making the hardware at a local tool shop, destroying records of their origins, and passing them off as FDA-approved.
South California doctors have implanted the counterfeit hardware in thousands of surgical patients, placing them at risk of infection because the metal isn't surgical grade. There is also a danger that these cheap knock-offs could loosen or fail. Some of the screws cost only $300 to produce, but patients were billed up to $12,500 for each one.
Surgery carries enough risk without patients having to worry about counterfeit metals being inserted into their backs. We respectfully urge you to monitor the surgical hardware trade more closely and crack down on counterfeiters. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
