Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 9 hrs ago
BBC documentary revisits families harmed by sodium valproate
A BBC Two documentary recounts families’ fight over sodium valproate, an epilepsy medicine also known as Epilim.
The drug has been linked to birth defects and other conditions in children whose mothers took it during pregnancy.
About 20,000 children are thought to have been affected since the medicine was prescribed from the 1970s.
Janet Williams and Emma Murphy led efforts to make families aware of the risks and to hold manufacturer Sanofi to account.
Regulators were told of the risks in 1974, but the programme says the information was suppressed because it might cause anxiety.
Mothers say they were dismissed as hysterical, and their court case against Sanofi ended after legal aid was withdrawn.
Families have not received compensation, despite authorities acknowledging significant risks during pregnancy.
A BBC Two documentary revisits families who say their children were harmed by sodium valproate, an epilepsy medicine.
The Daily Mail review says about 20,000 children are thought to have been born with birth defects linked to the drug since the 1970s.
The review says authorities acknowledged significant risks during pregnancy, but affected families have not received compensation.
Mothers Janet Williams and Emma Murphy campaigned for years to hold the drug’s manufacturer, Sanofi, to account.
The review says records show regulators were informed of serious pregnancy-related side effects in 1974.
- Who
- Families affected by sodium valproate, including campaigners Janet Williams and Emma Murphy. The drug was made by Sanofi.
- What
- A BBC Two documentary, Mums v Big Pharma, revisits families’ claims that sodium valproate harmed children exposed to it during pregnancy.
- When
- The drug has been prescribed for epilepsy since the 1970s. The documentary was reviewed on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- The review describes a campaign and court battle in the UK. The National Archives at Kew held evidence cited by the campaigners.
- Why
- The families sought recognition and accountability for harm they attribute to the medicine. They campaigned to warn other parents and challenge the manufacturer.
Families and campaigners
Drug authorities and Sanofi
Warnings and accountability
Families and campaigners
Families said they were not warned about the risks and sought to hold Sanofi to account.
Drug authorities and Sanofi
The review says regulators suppressed information, claiming disclosure would give rise to fruitless anxiety.
Claims of harm
Families and campaigners
Families attributed disabilities and other conditions in their children to sodium valproate taken during pregnancy.
Drug authorities and Sanofi
Authorities admitted the drug carried significant risks in pregnancy, but the review reports no response from Sanofi.
Regulators were informed of sodium valproate’s side effects in pregnancy, according to evidence the campaigners found in the National Archives.
Sodium valproate has been prescribed for epilepsy, and about 20,000 children are thought to have been born with related birth defects.
Sanofi had an annual turnover of £200 million from sodium valproate, the review says.
The Daily Mail published its review of the BBC Two documentary Mums v Big Pharma.
- Medicine
- Sodium valproate, sometimes known as Epilim
- Estimated affected children
- About 20,000 thought to have been born with birth defects
- Regulatory evidence
- Regulators informed of pregnancy-related side effects in 1974
- Campaigners
- Janet Williams and Emma Murphy
- Manufacturer
- Sanofi
- Sanofi turnover
- £200 million annually from sodium valproate by 2004
What people are saying
We were referred to as hysterical housewives
a bit too late to tell us now.
sleep on a washing line
give rise to fruitless anxiety