Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1424. To ask the Minister for Health if he has had representations from an organisation (details supplied) regarding an inquiry into the situation of families affected by a medication, sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16664/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health has received several representations from OACS Ireland regarding the establishment of an inquiry into the historical use of Sodium Valproate.

The 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. OACS have contributed and have engaged with the Department throughout the process.

In parallel with the work of establishing the enquiry, a Sodium Valproate Stakeholder Group has been established by the Department to assess current systems in place around valproate use in women of childbearing potential. The most recent meeting of the Sodium Valproate Stakeholder Group was in held in March 2023 with all stakeholders including OACS Ireland.