As of Sunday October 1, all licensed medicines containing sodium valproate, valproic acid and semisodium valproate are classified as special containers.

The change, being introduced ahead of the new laws around valproate dispensing coming into effect on October 11, means that where a prescription for one of these medicines is not for a quantity contained in an original pack, the nearest number of full packs will be reimbursed; this may be rounded up or down, the latter occurring only where “the quantity prescribed is exactly half way between rounding up or own,” said Community Pharmacy England in a briefing last week.

The changes to the Human Medicines Regulations are aimed at ensuring all women of childbearing potential receive the patient card, safety booklet and information leaflet highlighting the risks of taking valproate while pregnant.

The negotiator welcomed the news, commenting that it has “been seeking complete pack special container status for several valproate containing medicines (based on existing special container criteria), since 2020”.