An antiepileptic drug that causes health problems for children when taken by pregnant women is still given to patients without safety warnings reported.
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt called for “immediate fixabout sodium valproate, which has been linked to physical malformations, autism, and developmental delay in many children when taken by their mothers during pregnancy.
In 2013, the European Medicines Agency of the EU recommended limiting prescriptions. of Drug, also used to treat bipolar disorder and severe migraine. But many physicians did not know of advice while continuing to offer the drug.
BUT review published in In 2020, an estimated 20,000 Britons were exposed to the drug while developing babies. Latest numbers show 222 pregnant women given sodium valproate in 2018-21, according to the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency. This is also quoted rates of exposure was declining since the pregnancy prevention program was introduced, and rates in 2020-21 were “significantly lower”.
A spokesperson for NHS England stated that set up specialist group to help cut off use of Drug in women who you can get pregnant by 50% next year.
Sunday Times reported that Hunt said, “I can’t believe that after so many warnings, this still hasn’t been sorted out. this is the main thing risk to patient safety and the ministers must order immediately fix to prevent any more preventable harm.
The newspaper reported that the drug is still being given with No patient safety information flyer inside.
The Department of Health said: “Sick safety is a priority and we accept all reports on this is a very serious matter.”
