FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
November 27, 2007
Commission File Number 001-14978
SMITH & NEPHEW plc
(Registrant's name)
15 Adam Street
London, England WC2N 6LA
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained
in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Smith & Nephew plc
(Registrant)
Date: November 27, 2007
By: /s/ Paul Chambers
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Paul Chambers
Company Secretary
Precautionary knee recall
27 November 2007
Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business,
announced today a precautionary recall of knees from the TC-PLUS*, VKS* and
RT-PLUS* knee ranges. Smith & Nephew has been informed by a UK supplier that a
limited number of semi-finished knee implant castings have a higher than
specified iron content. These castings were manufactured during a short period
of time in May and June this year on behalf of the company's subsidiary, Plus
Orthopedics AG ("Plus").
The higher iron content in these knee products has occurred as a result of a
production error at the supplier's factory. The finished products have been
supplied mainly to customers in Europe, with some to the US and other countries.
All affected products are now being recalled as a precautionary measure.
Of the affected products about 275 have been implanted and the recall process is
working to determine the status of approximately 300 additional implants; of
these a significant proportion is expected to be located in inventory at
distributors and hospitals.
The higher iron content of these implants is not expected to pose any toxicity
or biocompatibility issues for patients. Many orthopaedic implants contain iron
in much greater percentages. There have been no reports to date of any patient
problems resulting from the use of these implants. Smith & Nephew is carrying
out laboratory testing to determine if the implants' material properties or
durability have been affected.
Enquiries
Investors/Media
Liz Hewitt Tel: +44 (0) 20 7401 7646
Smith & Nephew
Group Director Corporate Affairs
Media
Jon Coles and Justine McIlroy Tel: +44 (0) 20 7404 5959
Brunswick - London
Cindy Leggett-Flynn Tel: +1 (212) 333 3810
Brunswick - New York
About Us
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in
Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy
and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in
arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global
orthopaedics companies.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company
prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and
professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high
standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 32
countries around the world. Annual sales in 2006 were nearly $2.8 billion.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In
particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins
discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of
our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan",
"intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect",
"target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not
limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that
could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew,
or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please
refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a
discussion of certain of these factors.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information
available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral
forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting
on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the
foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith &
Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.
* Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain marks registered US Patent and Trademark
Office.