A BITTER PILL: BBC TWO EXPLORE THE SOFIUM VALPROATE SCANDAL FOR NEW DOCUMENTARY

From the co-producers of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Little Gem, comes A Bitter Pill: The Sodium Valproate Scandal (w/t), which reveals the largely untold story of the most widespread medical scandal pregnant women in Britain have ever faced.

Sodium valproate is a very effective drug for treating epilepsy but if taken during pregnancy, it can have devastating consequences - around one in nine babies will have a physical birth defect, and around three or four may have developmental problems. The scale is truly shocking as approximately 20,000 children in the UK have been affected - a greater number than thalidomide.

This film reveals the ‘David vs Goliath’ battle of two working-class mums, Janet Williams and Emma Murphy, who were ignored and dismissed by doctors and the drug company. Born years apart but drawn together by their ordeal of trying to find answers to why their children had developmental abnormalities, finally discovering each other by coincidence, they take us on an extraordinary unfolding story that spans three decades.

It is a story that shows Janet and Emma search for answers from the medical establishment and fight for justice for their children.

Executive Producer Ben Gale said: “When I met Janet and Emma the first time I was struck by their passion and commitment, and their determination to do the right thing by their children and the many other families who’ve been affected by this scandal. It has been a privilege to work with them to try and get the story to the widest possible audience. When I tell people what we’re working on, they’re amazed they haven’t heard more about it.”

Tom Coveney, Head of Science Commissioning, said: “It’s shocking that in 2026 we don’t know more about this birth defect scandal that’s bigger than thalidomide and that’s been going on for decades. Janet and Emma are clever, funny and extraordinarily determined: the work that they’re doing, along with other mums like them, is truly inspiring.”

A Bitter Pill: The Sodium Valproate Scandal (w/t) is a 1x60’ for BBC Two and iPlayer.