Update on valproate and case study on the risk of sodium valproate

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is reminding all pharmacy professionals of what they must do to ensure women and girls receive the right information about valproate and the risk of birth defects. Alongside the General Medical Council (GMC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the GPhC have developed a case study which explores how to approach difficult conversations and highlights the important role all healthcare professionals have in prescribing and dispensing valproate safely.

NHS Digital and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have also developed a valproate registry. 

Further details of supplying valproate safely to women and girls, the Medicines in Pregnancy Registry and the case study can be found on the GPhC website.