Drug case on hold after loss of legal aid

Yesterday was due to be the first day of the High Court trial of a group action against pharmaceutical company Sanofi-aventis over the Epilim (sodium valproate) medication, which the families allege caused a range of birth defects and that there were inadequate warnings about the possible harm in the 1990s.

The firm has denied the claims, saying it has always provided appropriate precautions and warnings on the risks associated with possible side-effects.

The litigation, which would have initially focused on 10 test cases, hit a stumbling block following the Legal Services Commission's October 26 decision to withdraw public funding and Mr Justice Eady yesterday adjourned the case until December 20 after hearing the families were considering applying for a judicial review of the LSC's decision before discontinuing the action.