Mothers impacted by the prescription of sodium valproate during pregnancy, leading to severe child health issues, are demanding justice and compensation.
Anna Moore reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The drug sodium valproate, used since the 1970s, has been linked to significant health issues in children when prescribed to pregnant women.
- Emma Murphy and Janet Williams, affected mothers, have spearheaded a campaign for recognition and compensation, revealing government and pharmaceutical negligence.
- Recent findings have prompted calls for a compensation scheme, acknowledging the drug's impact as a scandal surpassing Thalidomide in scale.
Key quote:
"All the time, nagging away at you, is the question: ‘What will happen to the children when we’re no longer there?’"
- Janet Williams, co-founder of In-Fact
Why this matters:
This issue highlights the critical importance of drug safety and informed consent, especially for pregnant women. It underscores the need for accountability in pharmaceutical practices and government oversight, directly impacting public health and trust.
Understanding how the environment affects pregnant people’s health.
