Boston Scientific falls after report says firm knew of pacemaker battery risks for years

Shares of Boston Scientific BSX.N down 1.5% at $70.22 in afternoon trade

BSX was aware for years that batteries in some of its pacemakers were failing unexpectedly, problems that have since been linked to at least seven deaths and more than 800 injuries, New York Times reports, citing internal company records and government inspection documents

The report says that factory tests had flagged unusually high battery failure rates well before the company issued recalls

Boston Scientific did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment

Up to last close, stock has been down 26.3% YTD