“…families had faced ‘the most egregious injustice“
Jeremy Hunt MP, then chair of the Health Select Committee, describing sodium valproate families in The Sunday Times “the most egregious injustice”
Parliamentary Campaign – A Briefing
For over 12 years, we have led the parliamentary effort to expose and address the devastating impact of Sodium Valproate and other anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in pregnancy. Through tireless lobbying, cross-party collaboration, and education of MPs and Peers, we have consistently driven the political agenda on this critical issue.
We are proud to have:
- Established the first-ever All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) dedicated to Valproate and other AEDs in pregnancy.
- Instigated and contributed to debates in both the House of Commons and House of Lords.
- Submitted numerous Parliamentary Questions to hold government and regulators accountable.
- Held multiple high-impact events, roundtable discussions, conferences and briefings to share lived experiences and scientific evidence with decision-makers.
Our work continues to shape policy and build parliamentary momentum for justice and recognition for the thousands of families harmed.
Objectives & Aims
- Raising awareness of the risks of AEDs in pregnancy across government and policy-making bodies.
- Highlighting the scale and severity of harm caused to children and families, with a focus on lived experiences.
- Calling for formal recognition of the condition and its cause, to help reduce ongoing and future risk.
- Campaigning for a Government-issued Statement of Regret, alongside a properly funded Care Plan and Compensation Scheme for affected individuals and families.
- Pushing for legal and regulatory reform to ensure patients are properly informed of medication risks and are better protected in future.
- Examining system failings across departments and regulators to prevent similar medical scandals from happening again.
Parliamentary Progress
Our campaign has led to significant parliamentary milestones, including:
- Backbench Business Debates recorded in Hansard, giving visibility and parliamentary weight to the issue.
- Cross-party collaboration resulting in ongoing pressure on government to take responsibility and deliver action.
- Growing recognition of FVSD as a serious, preventable condition caused by systemic failures in health communication and regulation.
We remain committed to ensuring those harmed by Valproate are never forgotten and that Parliament continues to take meaningful steps toward justice.
“That brings me to redress… the suggestion to go via the courts puts extra strain on families already caring for a disabled child.”
James Frith MP, Commons debate, December 2022
“Ministers must act urgently … families have waited too long for redress or compensation … the government must rectify years – even decades – of hurt.”
Steve Brine MP, Health & Social Care Committee, January 2023
“They need and deserve a redress scheme now… Why can the Government not move faster?”
Lord O’Shaughnessy, House of Lords, March 2021
“Patients who have suffered avoidable harm need help and support now … we owe it to them. That may take the form of additional financial support.”
Commons debate speaker, Hansard 2021
“Once compensation is delivered, [the scheme] must still be open… Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Christian Wakeford MP, Commons debate, April 2024“I thought that the thalidomide scandal that I’d read about in history books had put an end to that kind of scandal happening again. It was a real shock to realise that sodium valproate had led to around 20,000 babies being born in the UK with birth defects. I’m in awe of the energy and persistence Janet and other campaigners have shown in fighting to be heard. This must never happen again.” Cat Smith MP
“Every Member present will have a constituent who is affected by one of these health scandals” Sharon Hodgeson MP, Hughes Report 1st Anniversary Debate
Copyright Emma Murphy, Janet Williams – Independent Fetal Anti convulsant Trust
INFACT 