Campaigning Felpham mum welcomes epilepsy drug review: “The fact that someone has listened is such a relief”
Janet Stockley-Pollard, 52, was never told that taking the anti-epilepsy drug Sodium Valproate while pregnant risked harming her unborn children.
But her four children have health conditions caused by the drug, with three having a formal diagnosis of Fetal Valproate Syndrome.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOn Wednesday, a damning report was published following a two-and-a-half year review into the drug, as well as two other medical interventions, which found that many lives had been ruined because officials failed to hear the concerns of women affected by the treatments.
Janet said: “When we first got [the report], we felt numb. We’ve waited so long, we’ve fought for so long.
“The fact that someone has listened is such a relief.”
The report prompted a Government apology, which Janet said felt ‘overwhelming’.
She said: “Actually, it wasn’t our fault. You’ve acknowledged that it’s your fault and not mine. It’s massive.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe report included a number of recommendations, and Janet particularly welcomed the establishment of a redress scheme to support those affected.
It also recommended that centres specialising in Fetal Valproate Syndrome were set up around the country, something Janet said was ‘really important’ as the condition is still not well understood.
She said: “We feel all these recommendations are brilliant and the Baroness has done an amazing job.
“What we now want to see is that they move forward with that and that the Government acts.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Although it’s a really big step, we don’t think it’s the end of the journey.”
A 15-year-long campaign
Janet started taking Sodium Valproate aged 15, a year after she was diagnosed with epilepsy, and continued to take it for 35 years.
She went on to have four children, all of whom have experienced health issues, particularly her youngest two sons, Kyle and Cameron.
Janet said her stepson was also affected by the strain this put on family life, as she said: “We couldn’t go out or go on holiday, we were always at the hospital dealing with issues.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt was not until their neighbour brought them a newspaper cutting back in 2005 that Janet and her husband Steve drew the link between the drug she was taking and her children’s health.
She said the report was a ‘tiny box’ detailing an ongoing court case between families affected and the drug company, along with information on who to contact if you thought you might be affected.
“We had never really made the connection until then,” she said.
She rang the number given and her two youngest were soon diagnosed with Fetal Valproate Syndrome (her eldest son Dale was only formally diagnosed with the condition last year, aged 31).
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBoth went on to be used as case studies in a court case against the drug company.
The settlement would have ensured they had financial security for their futures – but after five years of battling, the court case folded due to a loss of funding.
“It was absolutely devastating,” Janet said. “It was, where do we go from here?”
But Janet did not give up, and years of campaigning began.
“I remember staying up for nights on end, emailing MPs through the night,” she said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad