Children born to women who take valproate during pregnancy are at significant risk of birth defects and persistent developmental disorders. As such, it is vital that women and girls are dispensed valproate safely. The General Pharmaceutical Council is reminding all pharmacy professionals of what they must do to ensure women and girls receive the right information about valproate and the risk of birth defects. The update includes
This Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) investigation aims to improve patient safety in relation to the use of oral morphine sulfate solution (a strong pain-relieving medication taken by mouth). As its ‘reference case’, the investigation used the case of Len, an 89 year-old man who took an accidental overdose of morphine sulfate oral liquid.
Patient Safety Learning has published a blog reflecting on the key patient safety issues highlighted in this report.