MPs in the UK have said that the response of the British government and a health regulator to the PIP breast implants scandal was "inadequate".

The Commons Health Committee said that there was a delay of more than 20 months between a safety alert issued to the surgeons and urgent action to gather evidence and communicate with affected women.

The total number of women in the UK, affected by the worldwide health scandal involving the France-based firm, is now believed to be 47,000. Investigations into allegations that the company might have been using the sub standard implants have found that it has affected thousands of women from around the world.

PIP sold as many as 300,000 implants around the world, which were found to be harmful to the health of the women. The implants were found to be with industrial-grade silicone gel and were linked with risks of cancer. The company was closed down in France and ban was imposed on the implants.

MPs have criticized the response of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and questioned the Government to the scandal that caused a global health scare.