Recommendation on the Safe Use of the Most Potent Teratogens
A single recommendation made by the Patient Safety Commissioner on 2 November 2023, calling for NHS England to establish a fully funded National Quality Improvement Programme for safe use of the most potent teratogenic medications (starting with sodium valproate, then all Pregnancy Prevention Programme medications). Accepted by NHS England in January 2024. PSC Commissioner confirmed the recommendation is now complete (December 2025).
Recommendations
The Patient Safety Commissioner recommends for NHS England to have a fully funded and resourced system for improving the safe use of the most potent teratogenic medications, through a National Quality Improvement Programme for Integrated Care Systems, starting with the safe use of sodium valproate. The Commissioner believes that this should be implemented by September 2024 for sodium valproate, before expanding to cover any medication with a Pregnancy Prevention Programme by September 2025.