Probe into scandal-hit treatments for women

A MAJOR review will examine why NHS officials ignored patients’ warnings that could have prevented three health scandals.

Theresa May yesterday ordered a landmark probe into the disasters, which have affected hundreds of thousands of women over five decades.

The review – into hormone pregnancy test drug Primodos, vaginal mesh implants and epilepsy drug sodium valproate – will investigate why patients’ concerns were ignored for years.

Former health minister Baroness Julia Cumberlege will lead the project and examine the wider way the NHS responds when patients highlight safety problems.

If she finds evidence of widespread problems she could recommend a formal investigation or statutory inquiry.

Mrs May, announcing the review during Prime Minister’s Questions, warned of ‘an issue with our regulatory and healthcare system’, saying: ‘We need to see a faster, more understanding response to patients when they raise concerns. I have

‘Faster response to concerns’

been clear that we need to do better.’ Immediate action is to be taken on epilepsy drug sodium valproate, which is extremely dangerous to unborn children if taken during pregnancy.

An estimated 20,000 British children have been severely harmed because their mothers took the drug while pregnant even though regulators knew of the risks as far back as 1973. It was not until 2015 that clear warnings were published.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt yesterday announced bold new warnings will be printed on packaging and said much stronger advice would be published.

He said immediate action will also be taken on vaginal meshes, with an audit of the 100,000 women fitted with the dangerous implants in the last decade.

The review will also look at Primodos, a controversial pregnancy test taken by 1.5million British women, which last month was linked to serious birth defects by scientists. Primodos, prescribed in the 1960s and 1970s, is suspected to have caused brain damage, heart defects and shortened limbs in children – a claim disputed by its manufacturer.