The Latest News from OACS Ireland
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…
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Patient Guides for Epilim (Valproate) (Men & Women) and Topiramate
New patient information guides have been published containing important information on the anti-seizure medications (Epilim) Sodium Valproate and (Topamax) Topiramate. The guides have been approved by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). They contain new information on the reproductive risks…
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THE VALPROATE INQUIRY – VACANCY FOR CHAIRPERSON !
03/04/2024 OACS Ireland welcomes the Expression of Interest (EOI) document, although this is welcomed, we were not informed that the document was going out live to the public. We subsequently found out that the document was live via Google alerts…
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“Look What These People Done To Me”
Karen Buck a UK mother recently shared her story on BBC1 News Night. Karen gave a powerful account of what her life has been like since finding out that her children was harmed by Epilim (Sodium Valproate). Karen BucK echoes…
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Statement: The Valproate Inquiry Update
OACS Ireland has been invited to attend a meeting with officials in the Department of Health. One of our objectives is to gain explicit reasons on why there has been such a delay on appointing a chairperson to the inquiry…
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Updated Press Comment: On the Sodium Valproate Inquiry.
OACS Ireland has been engaging with Officials in the Department of Health for a significant period. At the last meeting with the department officials, the number of candidates approached was at that time nearly exhausted, and suggestions were made that…
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New measures introduced by EMA for men prescribed Epilim (Sodium Valproate).
Last Updated: Tue, 17/01/2024 Following an ongoing review of new data, the European Medicines agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) have announced new precautionary safety measures for the treatment of males with Epilim (sodium valproate). Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) The…
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.