Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason his Department has not met with representatives of INFACT to discuss proposals to support children and adults harmed by sodium valproate.

INFACT was a key stakeholder whilst the Government considered the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) Review. This process concluded with the publication of the Government’s response on 21 July 2021. The former Minister of State for Patient Safety, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (Ms Nadine Dorries MP) met with INFACT on 14 July 2021, prior to the publication of the Government’s response.

The Government is now focusing on implementing the accepted recommendations from the IMMDS Review, including those related to sodium valproate. We aim to publish an update on progress in summer 2022.