Harm caused by exposure to sodium valproate

Motion Text

That this House recognises the severe and avoidable harm caused to individuals and families by exposure to sodium valproate; notes the findings of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review First Do No Harm (2020), which identified serious failures in the regulation and prescribing of sodium valproate; further notes that thousands of families continue to live with lifelong consequences of this harm; expresses concern that, despite these findings, there remains no dedicated compensation or redress scheme for those affected; and calls on the Government to establish, as a matter of urgency, a no-fault compensation scheme for victims of sodium valproate, in line with the Review’s recommendations.