The BBC recently reported that approximately 20,000 children in the UK have been left with disabilities. This is due to the use of the epilepsy drug “Sodium Valproate”, (known as Epilim), during their mother’s pregnancy since the 1970’s. It is reported that exposure to this drug in the womb carries a risk of causing physical abnormalities, autism, low IQ and learning disabilities.
Although the drug is known to have detrimental effects, research suggests that the medical problems suffered could be passed through generations. Doctors in the UK are still permitted to prescribe women with sodium valproate to treat epilepsy and seizures.
Many parents have claimed that they were not made aware of the risks of taking this drug during pregnancy. The BBC reported that almost 70% of woman surveyed had not received new safety warnings about the dangers of taking the drug during pregnancy.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care stated:
“Patient safety is always our priority. We want to make sure doctors give women the right information when prescribing these drugs -that’s why the medicines regulator is already reviewing how effective measures to highlight these risks have been.
We expect them to take further action if they find that more can be done.”
A spokesperson at NHS Resolution has said:
“Where claims for clinical negligence are made, they will be handled in the normal way and compensation paid where appropriate.”
