Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what learning has been implemented following the coroner’s finding that harm from sodium valproate exposure contributed to the death of Jake Aldcroft.

Everyone who has been harmed from sodium valproate has our deepest sympathies.

Action has been taken to minimise the risk of foetal harm associated with valproate, and to ensure that healthcare professionals are also able to support any babies and families that are affected. The valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme ensures that women and girls taking valproate understand the potential risks should they become pregnant, are using effective contraception, and are regularly monitored. It is supported by educational materials for healthcare professionals and patients.

The programme was updated in January 2024 to reflect updated Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency advice that valproate must not be started in new patients, either male or female, younger than 55 years old, unless two specialists independently consider and document that there is no other effective or tolerated treatment, or there are compelling reasons that the reproductive risks do not apply.