Devolved nations press UK for support for victims of epilepsy drug valproate
Thousands of babies are thought to have been harmed during pregnancies since the 1970s.
The three devolved governments have written to the UK Government urging it to set out how it will help people harmed by an epilepsy medicine taken during pregnancy.
Health ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland warned UK public health and patient safety minister Dame Diana Johnson that a lack of action was “causing significant anxiety and distress” for patients across the four nations
Thousands of babies are thought to have been harmed during pregnancies since the 1970s by sodium valproate, a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder which is now known to cause major birth defects and lifelong learning difficulties.
A report on the issue by Dr Henrietta Hughes, the patient safety commissioner for England, was published in 2024 but has not received a response from the UK Government.
In a joint letter to Dame Diana, Scotland’s public health minister Maree Todd, Welsh Government cabinet minister for health Mabon ap Gwynfor, and minister for health for Northern Ireland Robbie Butler urged the UK Government to act.
They wrote: “The continued absence of a formal response is causing significant anxiety and distress for affected individuals and families across all parts of the United Kingdom.
“Those impacted by the issues considered in the Hughes Report have already waited many years for recognition and resolution, and the lack of clarity regarding the UK Government’s intentions is adding to that uncertainty.”
The ministers said they were “concerned” that the UK Government had not decided whether to financially compensate patients impacted by the medicine, adding that Westminster had offered no timescale for a decision.
The devolved ministers welcomed the UK Government’s commitment to work with them and said they “stand ready to consider any proposals”.
The letter added: “Given the length of time since the publication of the report, we believe it is now imperative that the UK Government provides clarity on its intentions. We therefore ask that you set out, at the earliest opportunity, the UK Government’s proposed approach to responding in full to the Hughes Report.
“Those affected have waited far too long for certainty and deserve a clear understanding of the next steps.
“We would welcome your urgent attention to this matter and look forward to an early response.”
Ms Todd added: “I fully recognise the profound and lasting impact that sodium valproate has had on affected individuals and families, all of whom have lived with its consequences for many years.
“The continued absence of a response to the Hughes Report from the UK Government is causing significant anxiety and distress for those seeking clarity about what happens next. People affected have already waited far too long for certainty.
“I have written jointly with ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland calling on the UK Government to publish its response and set out the next steps for those affected.”
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “We recognise the profound and lasting impact on individuals and families affected by the issues raised in the Hughes Report.
“In partnership with health ministers across the devolved nations, the cabinet minister for health and care has called on the UK Government to respond formally to the Hughes Report at its earliest opportunity.
“For far too long those harmed and their families have been without an answer from the UK Government. It is an answer only Westminster can give because regulation of medicines and medical devices, including sodium valproate and pelvic mesh, is reserved to the UK Government.”
The UK Government has been approached for comment.