BBC Breakfast

Two mothers whose children have been affected by sodium valproate have urged the government to compensate victims

Two mothers have claimed they weren’t warned of possible birth defects after taking an epilepsy drug.

Emma Murphy was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 12 and was medicated with sodium valproate, which she used throughout her pregnancies after “no warnings” of possible harm to her unborn babies were given.

Emma’s five children have now been diagnosed with various medical conditions, including deafness and cerebral palsy. Appearing on Tuesday’s (November 3) instalment of BBC Breakfast, Emma appeared alongside Janet Williams as they urged the government to compensate families impacted by the use of sodium valproate during pregnancy.

Emma told hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent: “There were no warnings given by healthcare professionals. We were informed there was a possibility of cleft lip or palate, maybe spina bifida, but that would be picked up on any scans we had and we were reassured by that.

“But there were no warnings regarding a syndrome that it would cause autism or lifelong disability, and I have got five children affected now. It’s just completely devastating.”

Explaining how sodium valproate has affected her own five children, Emma added: “There’s a diagnosis of autism, cerebral palsy, deafness, incontinence, sensory processing disorder, language difficulties, learning disabilities, it is a huge spectrum that has completely devastated not just my family, but thousands of families in the UK.”

Sodium valproate, which is also used to treat bipolar disorder, can cause physical harm in the womb, and children can be born with a cleft palate and spina bifida, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders.

The medicine now carries warnings about use during pregnancy, with the NHS website stating: “Sodium valproate is not recommended in pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects and problems with your child’s learning and behaviour. If there’s a chance you could become pregnant while taking this medicine, your doctor will enrol you on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme.”

Mum-of-two Janet was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 16 and was also prescribed sodium valproate. However, after giving birth, her son suffered from withdrawal symptoms and was taken down to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“We knew nothing about it, we had nothing explained to us, so just him going down to NICU was a worry. They eventually explained to us about the withdrawals but nothing was said to us about the syndrome”, Janet confirmed.

When she welcomed her second son into the world, she was met with the same heartbreak as he was also taken down to NICU as he suffered from withdrawals.

Janet later received a letter confirming it was the Epilim, which is a brand name for sodium valproate, that had caused her children to be unwell. Both sons have been diagnosed with autism.

Jon asked: “How do you know it’s the drug, Emma? There are some children who will have the conditions and symptoms that your kids have got. How do you know it is the drug that is to blame?”

Emma replied: “There is a definitive syndrome now called Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder, and we know it is that that causes this.”

She also urged Andy Burnham to meet with her and help the victims get justice and compensation. Jon pointed out that while the Prime Minister is in a position of power, there are other “scandals” including “nuclear test victims, the blood scandal, the Post Office scandal”, that also require compensation, and there is “not much money”.

Jon said: “The government says it’s working on it, there has been a huge report. They say they’re going through that, making progress but they haven’t yet made a decision on how to provide financial redress.”

Emma and Janet are both starring in the upcoming BBC documentary Mums v Big Pharma, which airs on November 9, and details a decades-long campaign by British mothers against drug companies, doctors, and the government.

The Department of Health said the Government was determined to make progress on its response to the Hughes report, adding it was clear those affected have already waited far too long for answers. A decision has not yet been made to provide financial redress, it added.

A statement from Sanofi, the pharmaceutical company behind Epilim, said: “Sanofi understand the concerns of persons affected by valproate and their families and their need to be heard. The use of valproate in pregnancy is an incredibly complex issue that involves many different parties including government, regulators, doctors and other prescribers, pharmacists, manufacturers, patients, and other people affected.

“The supply of valproate, an essential medicine used to treat serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, is subject to detailed regulatory requirements and supervision by the regulatory authority. We have provided information to the regulatory authorities, under their supervision and in accordance with their evaluation and decisions, information has been given to healthcare professionals and patients that reflect the evolution of scientific knowledge.

“We are committed to working with all concerned stakeholders to continue educating about the risks and precautions for the appropriate use of valproate.”

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BBC Breakfast returned on Monday with Jon Kay and Sally Nugent and there was a sad update following Storm Boelo

BBC Breakfast host Jon Kay revealed two people have died as a result of Storm Boelo.

The presenter returned to our TV screens on Monday, October 26 alongside Sally Nugent when he shared that both men were fatally struck by falling trees while the storm persists in delivering dangerous conditions across the UK.

He said: “A man in his 20s was pronounced dead in North London after the car he was driving was hit by a falling tree, and hours earlier, a 60-year-old man died in Dumfries in Galloway.”

Chief Inspector Guy Ellwood, from the North West Command Unit, said: “This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young man who lost his life.”

Jon disclosed that Storm Boelo has plunged 90,000 households into darkness. Providing additional information, Thomas Magill described how Storm Boelo was “sweeping people off their feet” in Blackpool, reports the Express. He continued: “Emergency services worked tirelessly as it battled the North West, toppling trees and flooding parts of Cumbria.”

Thomas explained that a pub in Bouth, a Lake District village, has transformed into a community centre, providing meals and refuge to vulnerable residents cut off from electricity. These locals found themselves without power and hot water, prompting them to seek assistance at the pub.

Thomas went on: “As the storm moved in across the Irish sea, coastal areas off the Isle of Man were battled by high tides and strong winds. In Scotland, it was a similar story.”

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Footage captured the high street in Largs entirely submerged, with properties and shops left devastated. “Everything is absolutely swimming in sea water, sludge, leaves, debris, just mashed up confectionery. It’s awful,” a local said.

Travel has been severely disrupted across the region, with ScotRail urging passengers to check before setting off on their journeys. Thomas added: “Storm Boelo was also felt as far south as Kent, where emergency services worked continuously to clear blocked roads and secure areas. Today, thousands of homes still remain without power.”

Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the Emergency Networks Association, said: “The difficult thing is, we can’t actually get people out there to replace poles and wires until the worst effects of the storm have gone through.

“The clear message is that the teams will be working as hard as they possibly can to get people back on power soon as they possibly can in the safest possible way.”

Thomas remarked: “The worst of the storms may be over, but it’s unclear when power will return to the thousands of homes affected, and how long the clean up will take.”

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Jon Kay and Sally Nugent were back on the red sofa for the latest edition of BBC Breakfast

The hosts of BBC Breakfast shared some sad news this week.

Jon Kay and Sally Nugent were back in the studio on Wednesday (October 7) to deliver the latest headlines from across the UK and around the world. Later in the show, the presenters announced the death of an acting legend.

Eva Marie Saint, one of the last survivors of Hollywood’s golden age of the 1940s and 50s, has died at the age of 102. Her work on screen spanned six decades. She made her screen debut alongside Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, and also starred in North by Northwest and Superman Returns.

Representatives of the star said that she died on Tuesday (October 6) of natural causes at her Los Angeles home, surrounded by her loved ones. Sharing the news on BBC Breakfast, Sally said: “Tributes have been paid to one of the last stars of Hollywood’s golden age, the American actor Eva Marie Saint, who has died at the age of 102.”

Jon added: “In a career spanning nine decades, the oldest surviving Oscar winner became best known for her roles in the 1954 hit On the Waterfront with Marlon Brando, and later with Cary Grant in the spy thriller North by Northwest.” BBC culture correspondent Charlotte Gallagher then looked back on Eva’s life.

In the pre-recorded tribute, Charlotte said: “Eva Marie Saint, the ice-cool femme fatale, who meets Cary Grant on a train in Alfred Hitchcock’s Cold War spy classic North by Northwest. She seduces him, betrays him, but ultimately falls in love, after a terrifying escape from enemy spies across Mount Rushmore.”

Eva was the daughter of a tyre salesman from New Jersey. She initially thought of becoming a teacher, but modelling led to a small part in television, alongside former silent screen legend Lillian Gish.

As her acting career took off, Eva became known for appearing in Exodus, The Sandpiper, 36 Hours, and Grand Prix. She soon won a Primetime Emmy Award and an Academy Award.

Back in the studio, Sally then said, “Eva Marie Saint, whose death has been announced. The star of so many incredible films.”

Jon went on to say, “True end of an era stuff,” before Sally agreed, “Yeah.” The hosts then continued with their bulletin.

Tributes have flooded in for Eva, following the news of her death. “Oh no… But what a magnificent life!” one person wrote on X.

Another added: “No! I was just talking about how amazing it was that she was over 100 to my father yesterday!” A third said: “This is such sad news, what a wonderful actress and beautiful lady she was, RIP Eva Marie.”

Someone else echoed the sentiment, saying: “Damn. Not many left. Enjoyed her on Turner Classic. Great actress.” A fifth fan shared: “They just don’t make them like that anymore. What a loss.”

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