Fetal Valproate Syndrome

EDM number 9 in 2013-14, proposed by David Anderson on 08/05/2013.
Categorised under the topics of Children and families, Companies, Drugs misuse and Health services.

That this House notes with concern the recent refusal by the Minister for Care and Support of a public inquiry into why information was withheld concerning the disastrous way in which sodium valproate has affected pregnant women and their children; further notes the cost to the public purse of additional health, education and welfare costs incurred by families affected by Fetal Valproate Syndrome; believes that the regulator could have avoided such costs and large numbers of people affected since sodium valproate was licensed and sold from 1973; further believes that its makers, the pharmaceutical company Sanofi, failed in its duty of care and corporate responsibility by not informing the relevant agencies of its teratogenic effects; welcomes the Minister's recent decision to meet representatives of the Independent Fetal Anti-Convulsant Trust; and urges the holding of a public inquiry.

This motion has been signed by a total of 28 MPs.