§ Mr. Alan Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received any evidence that sodium valproate has caused significant deterioration of brain, liver or pancreas in any patients taking the drug; when such suggestions were made; what action has been taken; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergIn 1980 the Committee on Safety of Medicines considered reports from the previous few years about adverse reactions associated with sodium valproate, including suggestions of effects on the liver, pancreas and metabolic effects which had in some cases affected brain function. The committee advised that the benefits of this drug outweighed its risks but that additional warnings about these and other reported adverse effects should be included in the product data sheet and in the committee's publication "Current Problems", both Of which were circulated to doctors in 1981.