Key findings from the NHS Medicines and Pregnancy Dashboard
New data released by NHS England reveal a continued decline in the number of women prescribed sodium valproate during pregnancy. Between October 2024 and March 2025, five women were prescribed valproate while pregnant, and notably, none of these women started the medication during pregnancy. In the same five-month window, 75 women stopped taking valproate before becoming pregnant. These figures come from the NHS Medicines and Pregnancy Dashboard published on 25 September 2025.
Overall prescribing of valproate to women and young females aged 12–54 years remained substantial, with 13,201 individuals in March 2025, down from 13,820 in January 2025. February 2025 saw 12,925, continuing a pattern of fluctuation around the mid‑teens thousands. Since a peak in April 2018 of 25,150, the numbers have halved as new safety measures were introduced to curb exposure during pregnancy.
The trajectory of valproate prescribing in pregnancy
The latest dashboard figures reinforce a downward trend in pregnancies affected by valproate exposure, even as some women continue to rely on this antiepileptic for seizure control. While the absolute numbers are small, the data prompt questions about how best to balance seizure management with fetal safety. Experts note that, for some patients, valproate remains the only viable option to achieve seizure control, underscoring why decisions are complex and must be individualized.
Impact for patients, families, and healthcare teams
Commentary from patient groups and clinicians highlights that statistics only tell part of the story. While the overall trend is encouraging, the possibility that stopping valproate could worsen seizures for some women means that risk–benefit discussions are ongoing. The data illustrate the importance of ensuring women are fully informed and supported in making treatment choices that protect both maternal and fetal health.
The pregnancy prevention programme and risk management
Healthcare professionals emphasise that a robust pregnancy prevention programme is essential for those who remain on valproate. This includes the use of contraception and the completion of a risk acknowledgement form. Pharmacists, in particular, are positioned as pivotal touchpoints to reinforce awareness of risks and to confirm contraception use and discussions with specialists.
The role of pharmacists in safeguarding patients
Experts including advanced neurology pharmacists point to practical steps: in community pharmacy, staff should routinely discuss valproate risks with women of childbearing age and verify that alternatives have been considered. In hospital settings, pharmacy teams should maintain up-to-date risk assessments and ensure contraception advice is current. Specialist pharmacist prescribers can directly update risk acknowledgement forms and guide treatment choices with their expert knowledge. Yet some clinicians feel the role of these specialist prescribers remains under-recognised in certain hospitals, with responsibility sometimes concentrated on neurology consultants rather than broader pharmacy teams.
What this means going forward
As regulators and patient advocates call for more comprehensive reporting on long‑term outcomes, the focus remains on safeguarding patients while preserving access to effective therapies. Advocates stress that patients deserve complete information about risks and alternatives so they can make informed decisions about treatment for current and future pregnancies. The evolving data underscore a public health goal: reduce fetal exposure to valproate where possible while ensuring seizure control for those who need it. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has signalled that ongoing monitoring and reporting will be essential to understand long‑term outcomes for both women and men who transition away from valproate or switch to other therapies.
In sum, the NHS data show meaningful progress in reducing valproate exposure in pregnancy, but they also highlight the nuanced clinical decisions required when seizure control is at stake. As patient safety efforts continue to unfold, health professionals remain committed to providing balanced, informed care that supports families now and in the future.
