News | Neurological conditions

News

Epilepsy charities call on government to immediately halt two-clinician sign-off for patients taking valproate

A coalition of epilepsy charities has said the decision is "totally out of proportion to the risks to patient safety".…

Published: 28 March 2023

News

Third of women taking anti-seizure medication unaware of pregnancy risks, survey reveals

Data from a survey by three epilepsy charities has shown that a third of women taking carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pregabalin or topiramate are unaware of the increased risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy.…

Published: 24 March 2023

News

Sharp increase in prescribing of generic Parkinson’s disease medicines since 2017, analysis finds

Exclusive: Analysis by The Pharmaceutical Journal has revealed significant increases in prescribing of generic medicines for Parkinson's disease between 2017 and 2021, while prescribing of branded medicines decreased.…

Published: 21 March 2023

News

Whole-pack dispensing of sodium valproate made mandatory following consultation 

The legislation will help address concerns around women taking sodium valproate, who may be unaware of the risks posed to their unborn child if they fall pregnant.…

Published: 20 March 2023

Feature

Spotlight: the ‘new thalidomide’

In the first of a new podcast series, we consider whether the UK is doing enough to prevent harm from sodium valproate.…

Published: 24 February 2023

News

Government advisers warn of ‘negative impact’ of two-clinician sign-off on valproate patients

Exclusive: Meeting minutes of the Valproate Safety Implementation Group say the new measure could have a “negative impact” on patients, and that “their perspective should be taken into account”.…

Published: 13 February 2023

Feature

Why is the UK struggling to contain its sodium valproate problem?

There has been some progress in managing the risks of sodium valproate, but babies are still being born after exposure to the drug, and safety concerns over antiepileptic use in men and women are multiplying.…

Published: 10 February 2023

News

Patient safety tsar to ‘eliminate’ dispensing of sodium valproate in white boxes

Patient safety commissioner Henrietta Hughes said she would also work with health leaders to ensure that all relevant patients who take sodium valproate are on a Pregnancy Prevention Plan.…

Published: 2 February 2023

News

‘Devastating effects’ caused by switching between branded and generic Parkinson’s disease medication

Charity Parkinson's UK said patients had experienced pain and other symptoms after being switched between branded and generic medications.…

Published: 1 February 2023

News

‘Urgent’ action required to reduce level of harm from valproate, says patient safety tsar

Exclusive: NHS England is still around halfway off its target to reduce the number of female patients on sodium valproate.…

Published: 17 January 2023