Committees

Minister questioned on failures over epilepsy drug use in pregnancy

8 December 2022

Health Minister Maria Caulfield and senior health officials will appear before MPs following concerns that pregnant women are still being prescribed sodium valproate despite its known risks as a cause of birth defects or developmental delays.

Witnesses

Tuesday 13 December 2022, Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster

At 10.00am

  • Emma Murphy and Janet Williams, founders of the Independent Foetal Anti-Convulsant Trust (In-FACT)
  • Kath Sansom, head of campaign group “Sling the Mesh”

At 10.30am

  • Baroness Julia Cumberlege, Chair, Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review
  • Professor Sir Cyril Chantler, Deputy Chair of the Review Panel, Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review
  • Simon Whale, Review Member and Communications Lead, Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review

At 11.00am

  • Maria Caulfield MP, Minister
  • Dame June Raine, Chief Executive, MHRA
  • Dr Aidan Fowler, National Director of Patient Safety in England and a Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health and Social Care
  • William Vineall, Director of NHS Quality, Safety and Investigations at the Department of Health and Social Care
  • Celia Ingham-Clark, Medical Director for Professional Leadership and Medical Workforce, NHS England

Campaigners for families affected by the drug will give evidence along with campaigners on behalf of the “Sling the Mesh” campaign. MPs are examining whether a pause in the use of vaginal mesh implant surgery to treat stress-urinary incontinence should be made permanent.

The session will focus on government progress on accepted recommendations in the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) Review, ‘First Do No Harm’.

The government rejected its call to establish an independent redress agency to compensate women and children harmed by medical intervention. Committee Chair Steve Brine MP has called on the Secretary of State Steve Barclay to explain a decision not to fund additional care and support for those eligible as a result of experiencing avoidable harm.

Further information

Image: Parliament copyright