Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review 2021-04-13
2021-04-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The independent medicines and medical devices safety review made several recommendations that need to be addressed. The report took over two years to produce.
What progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the independent medicines and medical devices safety review?
A written ministerial statement was published on 11 January 2021, updating Parliament on the Government's current progress on each of the nine recommendations. The Government will respond in full to the report later this year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or concrete actions for implementing recommendations were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Baroness Cumberlege's report highlighted the harm caused by sodium valproate to those who took it during pregnancy, and a patient reference group is causing further delay for affected individuals.
Baroness Cumberlege's respected report makes it clear that those harmed by sodium valproate have suffered great and irreparable harm for many decades and that redress is needed. The patient reference group adds more delay for people who have waited long enough already. Will my hon. Friend commit to doing the right thing today and take up this issue of redress and give those harmed the support they have waited so long for?
I would like first to convey my most sincere sympathies to anyone who has suffered as a consequence of taking sodium valproate during pregnancy. It remains still the only drug that some women who suffer from epilepsy can take to control their epilepsy. As set out in the recent written ministerial statement, the Government will carefully consider the recommendations and make a full response to the whole report later this year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to immediate action on redress was not provided
Response accuracy