North East families with disabilities because of a controversial epilepsy drug say their voices aren't being heard
It's thought 20,000 kids nationally were affected after sodium valproate was prescribed to pregnant mums - but a meeting to hear their concerns today has been cancelled.
Families in the North East say they're extremely frustrated, after a meeting about a controversial epilepsy drug was cancelled.
It's thought 20,000 kids nationally have been left with disabilities after sodium valproate was prescribed to pregnant mams with epilepsy.
It's left Beth Dodgson's brother suffering from aspergers, glaucoma and other health issues after their mam took it.
She said:
"It's extremely frustrating that we haven't had the chance to explain our side of the story of how valproate's affected us.
"Valproate has affected hundreds different families in different ways, and every story is a key piece of the jigsaw to help everybody get more support.
The Prime Minister announced a review earlier this year, after pregnant women weren't warned the drug could lead to problems for kids developing.
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the use of sodium valproate is one of three areas that the review is focusing on. The anti-epilepsy drug has been linked to autism and learning disabilities in children when taken during pregnancy.
Former Conservative Health Minister, Baroness Julia Cumberlege, is leading the review.
A Government spokesperson said:
"Patient safety is always our priority. We want to make sure doctors give women the right information when prescribing these drugs — that's why the medicines regulator is already reviewing how effective measures to highlight these risks have been.
"We expect them to take further action if they find that more can be done."