The proposed ban on some textured breast implants announced by the Australian pharmaceuticals and medical devices regulator in mid-July tells us something very disquieting about the effectiveness of consumer protection.

It will not reassure women living with breast implants concerned about their risk of cancer, or anyone else with an implantable medical device regulated by the TGA.

It also exposes inadequacies in the regulatory system that have been apparent for years.

The proposed ban relates to the import and distribution of certain types of breast implants with a textured surface because of their well-documented link with a rare type of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The proposal is unsurprising given bans in Europe.