Valproic acide (Epilim) is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the risk of fetal abnormalities, and all women should be warned of this if they have this medication prescribed. The guidelines are clear. The data is in.

But it appears that this is not happening, at least in the UK.

Two thirds of women who take the antiepileptic drug sodium valproate said they had not received new safety warnings about the dangers of taking it during pregnancy, a survey carried out by epilepsy charities has found. A similar survey last year found that half of women taking the drug were unaware it could harm their fetus.

The new results are to be presented at a public hearing on the safety of valproate drugs organised by the European Medicines Agency on 26 September in London.

The problem is, even if the information is given in writing, that people may not attend to it.