EMA hearing on extent of valproate risk

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is on Tuesday holding the first hearing of its type to give people the chance to have their say on valproate-containing medicines as part of a review of their use in the treatment of women and girls who are pregnant or of childbearing age.

It is the first public hearing held by the EMA at its London offices, and will consider the risk of malformations and neurodevelopmental problems in babies who are exposed to valproate in the womb. Speakers from six European Union (EU) countries will share their experience directly with the members of the agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee.