Epilepsy Society welcomes redress scheme for valproate victims but says research is also vital
Today, Patient Safety Commissioner, Dr Henrietta Hughes, launched The Hughes Report calling for redress for all those harmed by valproate. The Epilepsy Society has warmly welcomed Dr Hughes' recommendations but warned that research into other epilepsy medications is also vital to stop history from repeating itself with other drugs.
Report exploring the impacts of some anti-seizure medicines in pregnancy attracts strong support at parliamentary launch
Report exploring the impacts of some anti-seizure medicines in pregnancy attracts strong support at parliamentary launch
MHRA resources give guidance around new restrictions on valproate prescribing
MHRA resources give guidance around new restrictions on valproate prescribing
We call for urgent investment in research as report puts lifetime cost of harm caused by epilepsy medications as high as £2.5m
A new report shows that the lifetime costs of harm caused by exposure to epilepsy medications during pregnancy could be as high as £2.5m. That is the cost for one child exposed to high-risk drugs during pregnancy and includes costs to the NHS, education and welfare systems, the affected individual, their family and wider society. The cost to the NHS alone is over half a million.
What is the lifetime cost of harms caused by epilepsy medications during pregnancy?
The report Individual, Health System, and Societal Impacts of Anti-seizure Medicine Use During Pregnancy was written by the Office of Health Economics and commissioned by the Epilepsy Society.
Study suggests risk of harm for babies fathered by men taking valproate
The medicines regulator is re-examining evidence from a study which suggests there may be an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children fathered by men on valproate in the three months prior to conception, compared with men on other anti-seizure medicines.