New analysis reveals reduction in valproate prescribing

Prescribing of valproate has reduced significantly following the introduction of a quality improvement programme that promotes safety and patient choice.

New analysis presented to the National Patient Safety Committee shows:

• a 53% reduction in initiation in girls aged 0-12
• a 60% reduction in 13-54 women started on valproate
• a 65% reduction in women re-starting valproate after a break of 6 months
• at least 9 out of 17 mothers have active management of valproate if it was prescribed during pregnancy
• and hospital admissions for women with epilepsy aged 13-54 have not been affected by these changes.

The quality improvement programme follows a recommendation by the PSC in 2023 which was accepted by NHSE in January.