@SeNSSDTP funded PG researcher with @CRRC_BPAS and @UniKent. Law, Bioethics, and Sexual & Reproductive Health. Views are my own. (she/her)
Canterbury, England
Joined May 2009
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Out today in @PJOnline_News - here I argue the pregnancy prevention programme for sodium valproate desperately needs reformulating. I argue it unduly restricts potentially lifesaving medication based on an individual's capacity to reproduce.
pharmaceutical-journal.com/a…
This is an extremely interesting blog. I wonder if the concept of ‘zones of preference’ could ever be used in the regulation of meds such as sodium valproate and topiramate. Particularly for those patients who don’t intend on pursuing pregnancy.
@CPCS_UniKent
my blog for MHRA on then role of regualation in the age of personalised medicine
gov.uk/government/news/sir-d…
"These results are significant because fear of fertility side effects specifically attributed to valproate can lead men to discontinue the medication, risking uncontrolled seizures, mental health deterioration, hospitalisation or death in extreme cases."
There is little evidence to suggest that sodium valproate significantly impacts male fertility, according to a retrospective cohort study published in @NatureComms
#ukpharmacy #fertility
pharmaceutical-journal.com/a…
Rachel Arkell retweeted
After much thought we're no longer using X. While we explore other platforms, make sure you're subscribed to out newsletter: eepurl.com/hOMLbT
Rachel Arkell retweeted
The BioNews writing scheme for @UCL_ODResearch grad students is back! Write about #lifesciences #biomed #bioethics, receive feedback on your work and have articles published in your name.
Deadline to apply: 5pm Thursday 18 September
Full details⬇️
ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/or…
Rachel Arkell retweeted
MotherToBaby is currently enrolling pregnant people in observational studies looking at eczema (moderate to severe atopic dermatitis). All studies are conducted through phone interviews—no changes to normal treatment or travel required. ➡️ Mothertobaby.org/Studies
Rachel Arkell retweeted
Today we're delighted to welcome @R_Arkell to talk about her research on sodium valproate and pregnancy. SV is a potentially lifesaving medication for epilepsy and BPD. Its association with foetal risk raises questions of consent, autonomy and risk in pregnancy prevention.
Rachel Arkell retweeted
"Every time we accept a limit, we inch closer to a world where no abortion is safe, legal, or accessible." Read Dr. Shelley Sella's powerful op-ed. time.com/7292801/third-trime…
Rachel Arkell retweeted
🧵of commentaries on why this sort of thinking about pregnant women is so wrong:
1. Using meconium to establish prenatal alcohol exposure in the UK: ethical, legal and social considerations
jme.bmj.com/content/49/8/531…
@R_Arkell @clareemurph
How honest is self-reporting at maternity booking appointments? Interesting to hear from David Tappin and the hopes to develop a marker for alcohol use during pregnancy, like we have for smoking. @NHS_GM #FASDUK2025
Rachel Arkell retweeted
🚨NEXT BC SMALL GRANT SHOWCASE🚨 30 June, 7-8.30pm. @ellie_hibbert discussing 'Name the Midwives: Identifying the women working for the Royal Maternity Charity, 1761-1915' & @NaoiseGale13 'Four stories: encouraging empathy towards pregnant people with substance use disorder'
Rachel Arkell retweeted
Tickets are still available for our half-day symposium exploring the future regulation of reproductive technologies- funded by @BConceived
@cparkmorton @NC_Richardson @UniofGreenwich
Attendance is free!
Rachel Arkell retweeted
LAST CALL - Looking for a new skill? Apply for the BioNews news writing scheme for @UCL_ODResearch grad students and postdocs. Write about #lifesciences #biomed #bioethics - and get published!
Deadline: 5pm on Sunday 27 April. For details see
ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/ab…
Rachel Arkell retweeted
🚨NEXT EVENT🚨 5 May, 7-8.30pm UK time. In-conversation with @HZeavin (@calnewmedia) & @helen_charman (@Cambridge_Uni) about The Technological and Political Mediation of Motherhood. Read more: broadlyconceived.wordpress.c…
Rachel Arkell retweeted
⌛️Just 6 days left to express your interest in joining our contraception project! We're looking for 4 people (18-35, AFAB) with lived reproductive health and contraception experience to help co-produce the project. More here: coproductioncollective.co.uk…...
Rachel Arkell retweeted
🔍Get involved! Ever struggled with contraception choices? Your voice matters! We're looking for 4 people (18-35, AFAB) to help co-produce our contraception project.
📅 Apply by 31st March 2025!
📩Link: coproductioncollective.co.uk…
Rachel Arkell retweeted
📢New blog alert!
@lohrpa shares insights into how our new strategy was developing, and how involving staff, patients and external stakeholders was central to our approach.
Read more here: bit.ly/4iVuijf
#Abortion #Research #BPAS #PPI
Rachel Arkell retweeted
So excited that our symposium, funded by @BConceived, is now open for registration! We'll be examining the potential impact of the Law Commissions' report on surrogacy in relation to wider reproductive technologies. Sign up here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrogacy…
Rachel Arkell retweeted
We mourn Professor Margot Brazier, who died peacefully on 4 March. Margot's work inspired generations of healthcare lawyers and ethicists, and informed health policy for decades. Margot was exceptionally kind, clever, funny and wise. We will miss her so much @law_uom
Rachel Arkell retweeted
📢 Exciting news! We are launching our 2025–2030 Integrated Research & Innovation Strategy!
We're embedding research into everything we do at BPAS -driving evidence-based, inclusive, and impactful abortion & reproductive healthcare.
🔗 bpas.org/media/3gdh0wo2/bpas…
#Abortion #BPAS
Rachel Arkell retweeted
SUDEP Action welcomes the removal of men and boys from the Accelerated UK Pregnancy Prevention Programme. We echo the call of Prof Angus-Leppan for more urgent reforms of the UKs national medicines regulations.
bmj.com/content/386/bmj.q195…
Excellent rapid response in the BMJ published yesterday: 'Changes to MHRA valproate regulations on 13 Feb 2025 are not enough' @SudepAction
bmj.com/content/386/bmj.q195…
