News & Resouces

The Latest News from OACS Ireland

“RTÉ Does Comic Relief”

By Karen | December 16, 2020

OACS Ireland are incredibly pleased to inform our members, volunteers, and supporters that we have been allocated €2000 under the “RTÉ Does Comic Relief” fund. RTÉ does Comic Relief was established in response to the fundraising crisis which non-profit organisations…

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Access to Product Information for Anticonvulsant Medicines Authorised in Ireland

By Karen | December 14, 2020

*The active substance is the main ingredient contained in every medicine. For example, the active substance in Epilim is sodium valproate. The active substance in every medicine is listed on the outer packaging and in the package leaflet (PL), usually…

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Sodium Valproate (Epilim) Inquiry

By Karen | December 1, 2020

The Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has announced his intention to establish an inquiry into the historical licensing and use of the epilepsy drug Sodium Valproate – also known as Epilim – in Ireland. The inquiry is being established…

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Minister for Health to establish inquiry into historical licensing & use of Sodium Valproate in pregnancy.

By Karen | November 24, 2020

OACS Ireland and Epilepsy Ireland have welcomed today’s announcement by Minister Stephen Donnelly that he will establish an inquiry into the historical licensing and use of Sodium Valproate (Epilim) in pregnancy. The Minister outlined his commitment to both patient organisations at a…

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Today OACS Ireland attends meeting with Dr. Colm Henry & his colleagues.

By Karen | November 6, 2020

We have accepted this invitation with Dr. Colm Henry and welcome the opportunity to discuss the many issues which are facing families impacted by Epilim (sodium valproate). We will ask him to confirm that supports are put in place to…

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The MHRA #MedSafetyWeek “Every Report Counts”

By Karen | November 2, 2020

The One Millionth Yellow Card report and #MedSafetyWeek – every report counts – November 2 – 8 campaign has launched today. The MHRA would like to take this opportunity to ask you to please support the campaign. The aim is to raise awareness and…

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The HPRA #MedSafetyWeek – “Every Report Counts”

By Karen | November 2, 2020

The Health Products Regulatory Authority, are seeking support for the fifth annual #MedSafetyWeek, which sees 74 medicine regulatory authorities across the world taking part in a social media campaign to raise awareness of suspected side effects from medicines, and the importance…

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Organisation for Anticonvulsant Syndromes Ireland Annual Report.

By Karen | October 29, 2020

2019 proved a landmark year for OACS Ireland. Our organisation has been in existence for just over a year but 2019 was a year of considerable progress. We were approved as a charity by the Charities Regulator which means we…

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Epilepsy Ireland & OACS Ireland to meet with Minister for Health regarding Sodium Valproate.

By Karen | October 29, 2020

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Epilepsy Ireland and OACS Ireland have received an invitation from the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly to meet regarding our ongoing campaign surrounding Sodium Valproate (Epilim) next Wednesday. We have accepted this invitation and welcome the opportunity…

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Anticonvulsant Drug List History of dates

By Karen | October 19, 2020

The dates provided above are the calendar years in which the respective active (medication) were first authorised for use in Ireland through official regulatory processes. Some of the older anticonvulsants would have been available for use in Ireland. Active substance…

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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.