Oral Answers to Questions

Jeremy Hunt Excerpts
Tuesday 19th April 2022

(2 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call the Chair of the Select Committee, Jeremy Hunt.

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey) (Con)
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The Secretary of State will have read the scandal exposed in The Sunday Times this weekend that six babies are born every month after being exposed to sodium valproate, which has been known for many years to cause disabilities. Last year the Government consulted on putting warning labels on valproate. Is it not time to go much further and ban the prescription of sodium valproate to epileptic pregnant mothers?

Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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My right hon. Friend is right to raise this, and many of us will have seen the recent reports, especially from the families affected. It is right that we reconsider this and make sure that sodium valproate, and any other medicine, is given only in the clinically appropriate setting.