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People with epilepsy face highest refusal rate for PIP, according to DWP statistics
Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show epilepsy has the highest refusal rate for people claiming personal independence payment (PIP).
Calls for mandatory action at EMA public hearing into use of sodium valproate during pregnancy
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) held a public hearing on medicines containing valproate in London on 26 September.
The public hearing was part of a safety review by the EMA into the use of sodium valproate in women who are pregnant or of childbearing age.
Lacosamide epilepsy medicine approved for use in children over 4 years old with focal-onset seizures
Pharmaceutical company UCB’s lacosamide epilepsy medicine, known as VIMPAT, has been approved by the European Commission for use in children over 4 years old in Europe.
The lacosamide medicine was approved in September for use on its own or alongside other medicines to treat focal-onset seizures. It was previously approved for use in teenagers over 16 years old and adults in Europe.
Almost one-fifth of women taking sodium valproate for epilepsy still not aware of risks in pregnancy, survey shows
Almost one-fifth (18%) of women taking the epilepsy medicine sodium valproate don’t know the risks this medicine can pose during pregnancy, according to the results of a new survey.
More than a quarter (28%) of the women currently taking sodium valproate said in the survey that they had not been informed of the risks of this medicine in pregnancy.