Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of levels of epilepsy medication availability on patient safety.

The Department recognises that continuity of access to epilepsy medication is important for patient safety, and we routinely work with medicine suppliers, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and supply chain teams to ensure that any disruptions in supplies are resolved as soon as possible.

The Department is currently aware of several supply issues affecting suppliers of medicines used in the management of epilepsy. This includes sodium valproate (Epilim Chronosphere) 50 milligram and 500 milligram MR granule sachets, which are expected to be resolved imminently and in mid-December 2026 respectively; lamotrigine 10 milligram/millilitre oral suspension and phenobarbital 60 milligram tablets, which are due to return to stock in early February 2027 and late April 2027 respectively; and topiramate 100 milligram and 200 milligram tablets, which is expected to be resolved by mid-February 2027.

We have engaged with clinicians and issued comprehensive guidance to the National Health Service on how to manage patients during this time, advising the use of alternative preparations or alternative manufacturers of the same product where appropriate. This guidance, and the latest resupply dates is available to all NHS prescribers on the Specialist Pharmacy Services Medicines Supply Tool website.