Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1637. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of the inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; the timeline that he is working towards in establishing this inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17563/23]
View answerWhen I met with the patient groups involved with this issue, I supported their call for an inquiry into sodium valproate and I committed to making that happen. The delay in establishing this inquiry is as frustrating for me as for those impacted. During 2022 the Terms of Reference were agreed after close consultation with patient groups. However, after further cross Departmental engagement these needed to be re-drafted to ensure the inquiry could be delivered in a meaningful way within a reasonable timeframe. I am aware that amended Terms of Reference have been prepared, again with input from patient representatives. Steps are being taken within my Department to complete the policy documentation required to support this inquiry and to bring a memo to government seeking approval for the inquiry to commence. Completion of this work is important for me and I am committed to commencing this inquiry as soon as it is appropriate to do so.
This inquiry will be designed to give a voice to patients and their families while looking at the use of sodium valproate in Ireland since it was first licensed. It is important that enough time and resources are invested in completing this work. There are many factors to consider, and I want to ensure that the inquiry established delivers and allows those impacted to tell their story and my officials are working to ensure that this will be facilitated.
I would like to inform the Deputy that in parallel to the work on the inquiry a Valproate Stakeholder Group has been established by the Department to assess current systems in place around valproate use in women of childbearing potential. The Sodium Valproate Stakeholder Group met in November 2022, and recently held its second meeting. I look forward to monitoring the outcome of the work of this group.
