Written questions

Sodium Valproate: Side Effects

Commons · Question 106963 · Tabled 20 Jan 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 29 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Bob Blackman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the diagnostic time taken and levels of misdiagnosis among individuals harmed by sodium valproate, and its impact on long-term outcomes.

Answer

Answered by Zubir Ahmed, 29 Jan 2026

The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, First Do No Harm, identified significant shortcomings in National Health Service care pathways for people harmed by sodium valproate, including fragmented services, limited diagnostic expertise,...