Rise in the amount of patient struggling to get epilepsy medicine

According to the Epilepsy Society, there has been a rise of people unable to get epileptic medication to assist with seizures.

The strain of the process alone could put patients in a more vulnerable position against the seizures.

The medical charity is urging government bodies to review the supply of medicine.

Last week, Sanofi, a multinational pharmaceutical company, said that because of a supply issue at the factory last year, there have been subsequent shortages of sodium valproate (a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder). Despite this, according to the company, the circumstances were improving.

Although Brexit has been argued to be the likely culprit, the Department of Health and Social Services has recognised the shortages as an ongoing issue for the last couple of years.

Governmental action, implemented earlier this year, includes mandatory regulations for manufacturers to warn the Department of Health and Social Services of any specific medication shortages.