We've had no help: epilepsy drug victims

Families with children who were harmed by the epilepsy drug sodium valproate are demanding a public inquiry and compensation, saying they have been left with no help.

They voiced their anger outside a London hearing that is assessing if warnings for patients are adequate. It is thought thousands of children in the UK have been left with disabilities caused by valproate since the 1970s.

The drug, known as Epilim, is used to control seizures.

It carries a 10% risk of physical abnormalities and a 40% risk of autism, low IQ and learning disabilities.

Sodium valproate has been prescribed since the 1970s, but it was only last year that additional warnings were put on the outside of packets under a new regulatory system.

UCJ, UNILORIN.