News | Neurological conditions

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

Feature

Psilocybin: a psychedelic alternative to antidepressants?

Decades on from its widespread use as a recreational drug during the 1960s, research shows that psilocybin could be a credible treatment for symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders.…

Published: 15 December 2022

News

Healthcare professionals to be ‘better monitored’ on new valproate safety measures

The Commission on Human Medicines has advised that two specialists must independently consider and document that sodium valproate is the appropriate treatment for anyone prescribed the drug aged under 55 years.…

Published: 13 December 2022

News

Researchers claim to have first direct evidence serotonin release is reduced in depression

After patients received d-amphetamine, which stimulates serotonin release, researchers found that those with major depressive disorder or depression linked to Parkinson's disease released significantly less serotonin than non-depressed patients.…

Published: 7 November 2022