Simon Wigglesworth, deputy chief executive at Epilepsy Action, said: “This is very disappointing news for the families who have spent so long waiting for the case to come to trial. This is not the first time the Legal Services Commission has withdrawn funding for this group of claimants. It was our understanding that they recommitted the funding in 2008 and that the case would get to trial.
“Epilepsy Action’s other major concern is that nothing has changed - women and unborn children continue to be at risk. Women of child-bearing age are still prescribed sodium valproate without receiving vital pre-conception counselling to help them decide whether it is the right drug for them.
“National guidelines state that women with epilepsy of child-bearing age should receive pre-conception counselling. We conducted a survey in 2007, which showed that only 21 per cent of women are actually receiving this counselling. We estimate that as many as 1,200 babies born to women taking sodium valproate could be put at risk every year in the UK.
“Around 5,000 women with epilepsy become pregnant every the year in the UK. The majority of women will experience uncomplicated pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies. Women should never stop taking epilepsy medication without consulting their doctor as this could be potentially harmful to their health and their unborn child.”
Main story:: "Families denied legal aid for epilepsy drug court case" (BBC News)
"Dozens of families who blame an epilepsy drug for causing birth defects in their children say they are devastated that legal aid to sue its maker has been withdrawn."