The Latest News from OACS Ireland
RTE News The real Life of a person impacted by Epilim (Sodium Valproate)
Press the Play Triangle Button to Watch the Video from RTE News. OACS Ireland are grateful to RTE News and all journalists who have helped us highlight our cause! Article Published by Conor Hunt from RTE News Friday, 30 May…
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Families criticise delays to inquiry into epilepsy drug valproate
News Article from The Examiner, Mon, 02 Jun, 2025 Mon, 02 Jun, 2025 – 10:37 Niamh Griffin, Health Correspondent Families have criticised inordinate delays to the opening of an inquiry into the prescribing of valproate to pregnant women for epilepsy.…
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No faith in the system’ as mother waits year for epilepsy drug inquiry
Mon, 02 Jun, 2025 – 01:00 Niamh Griffin, Health Correspondent OACS Ireland are grateful to The Examiner Newspaper and all journalists who have helped us highlight our cause! Debbie Adams has been waiting a year to address an inquiry into…
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The Journal News Article: Campaigners seek to meet Minister as inquiry into drug that causes birth defects yet to begin
The Journal 12.06am, 7 Jun 2025 OACS Ireland are grateful to “The Journal” and all journalists who have helped us highlight our cause! It has been almost a year since a chairperson was appointed to lead the inquiry into the…
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The Valproate Inquiry – Letters to the New Minister for Health. March & April 2025.
We would like to update our members on recent correspondence between OACS Ireland and the Minister for Health. OACS Ireland sent a letter to the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in relation to the Non- statutory Inquiry (“Inquiry”) into…
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OACS Ireland launch idonate fundraiser appeal
The Organisation for Anti-Convulsant (OACS) Ireland is dedicated to supporting and advocating for families affected by Foetal Valproate Syndrome/Spectrum Disorder. We are a volunteer-run organization led by parents, and funding is crucial to our cause. The Non-statutory inquiry into Sodium…
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OACS Ireland General Election Campaign 2024
The 2024 General Election campaign is now well underway and voting due to take place on 29th November. OACS Ireland are intending to use this opportunity to raise awareness around topics which we feel are of key importance to our…
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OACS Ireland Annual Report 2023
Report Contents
Chairs opening remarks.
Independent Inquiry
Our organisation
Our voluntary partners
Statutory partners
Other activities
OACS finances
Appendices
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Update – The Sodium Valproate Inquiry
Aug 2024 Since our last meeting with the Chairperson of the Sodium Valproate Inquiry, which was held in July, the chairperson has informed OACS Ireland that she is working diligently in relation to our supports for the Inquiry, and she…
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Minister announces Chairperson Brid O’Flaherty BL officially appointed
The minister of Health Stephen Donnelly has launched the Inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of Sodium Valproate in Ireland, following that the Minister announced the Chairperson Brid O’Flaherty BL now officially appointed by the Minister for Health Stephen…
More . . .Downloads & Resources
Links to Website Resources
- OACS Facebook Group
- OACS YouTube Channel
- OACS UK Charity
- Epilepsy Ireland
- Irish Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register
- Irish Family Planning Association
- Birth Control (HSE Website)
- Valproate (Epilim) Patient Booklet (HPRA)
- EMA – Information & reviews on Valproate
- Valproate Information(HSE Website)
- Meeting highlights from PRAC
Download Resources
- OACS Ireland Leaflet
- National Conference on the Consequences of Sodium Valproate
- Joint Committee on Health Report on Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome
- Valproate (Epilim) is a medicine licensed in Ireland to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder
- 2019 Neurology Referral Specialist
- HSE Report on prenatal exposure
- 2018 Sodium Valproate who knew what and when
- 2019 Videos from the National Conference on Sodium Valproate
- 2018 FACS Forum welcomes HSE’s plans to contact patients directly regarding Sodium Valproate
- 2019 Study identifies the risk of malformations associated with prenatal exposure to 10 epilepsy drugs
Videos / Media
OACS Ireland: The Story So Far
Public Hearing on Valproate
Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For Patients*
Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For Hospital Doctors*
Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For Neurologists & Psychiatrists*
Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For GPs*
*The Medication Safety Minute Team in conjunction with Dr Colin Doherty, Epileptologist in St. James’s Hospital (SJH), have produced a series of 4 videos to highlight the risks associated with sodium valproate medicines if taken during pregnancy. Each of the videos highlights key points in relation to the management of the issue from a different perspective − that of the patient, the hospital doctor, the specialist (neurologist or psychiatrist), and the GP, respectively. These videos were released during National Epilepsy Week which aims to raise awareness Epilim (Sodium Valproate) in pregnancy.