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BBC Two documentary follows mothers seeking justice over valproate harm
A BBC Two documentary follows Janet Williams and Emma Murphy as they campaign for justice over harm linked to sodium valproate, an epilepsy drug prescribed despite concerns arising during testing. The film examines the damage to generations of children and an unresolved case of institutional failure, highlighting the mothers’ persistence in the face of official inaction and scorn.
The programme is scheduled for 9pm. The article describes it as a stirring account of campaigning that avoids becoming dispiriting, in part because of Williams and Murphy’s determination and lack of self-pity. The rest of the evening’s television listings include a documentary on extreme weather, Jamie Oliver cooking, and dramas and factual programmes.
In short
- Two mothers seek justice over harm linked to sodium valproate.
- A BBC Two documentary examines the drug’s impact on generations of children.
- The case remains unresolved.
Explained simply
Sodium valproate is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and other conditions. Concerns have been raised about its effects when taken during pregnancy, as exposure can harm a developing baby and lead to lifelong health and learning difficulties.
Janet Williams and Emma Murphy are among the mothers campaigning for recognition and justice for families affected by the drug. Their efforts sit within wider questions about how concerns were handled by those responsible for testing, prescribing and overseeing medicines, and what support affected families should receive.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “TV tonight: a stirring documentary about two mothers taking on Big Pharma”.