Birth Defects
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Study warns that global use of valproate in pregnancy risk zones remains high
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An international study across 73 countries finds that access to antiseizure medicines is improving, especially in low- and middle-income nations, but warns that valproate — a World Health Organization-listed essential medicine linked to serious birth defects when used in pregnancy — remains widely used. Researchers led by Aston University report uneven progress in safe prescribing between 2012 and 2022 and call for stronger safeguards for women of childbearing age.