Health Committee to discuss Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

•  Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome (FACS)
Representatives from FACS Forum
Representatives from Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
Representatives from Health Service Executive (HSE)

•  Transposition of Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM
Representatives from Chiropractic Association of Ireland

•  Transposition of Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM
Officials from Dept. of Health
Representatives from Faculty of Radiologists, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Chair, Dr Michael Harty TD said, “The FACS Forum has estimated that hundreds of babies may have been born here with foetal valproate syndrome. Some children have been left with disabilities as a result of the epilepsy drug, sodium valproate (Epilim). In 2014, the European Medicines Agency, EMA, conducted a review of valproate and issued advice placing restrictions on the use of valproate for women and girls. Tomorrow the Committee will discuss the scale of the problem and the issues around the continued sale of Epilim. Informing the public about the use of and risks associated with valporate is also likely to be discussed, as well as additional measures to safeguard pregnant women.”

“In the second part of our meeting, we will discuss the Transposition from Council Directive 2013/59/EUROTOM, which relates to the Radiological Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018. There is a proposal in the Bill for changes to registration with regard to dealing with radiological equipment. Chiropractors have called for their inclusion as referrers or practitioners in the list of healthcare professionals that will be covered by the regulations which will transpose the EU Council Directive.”