Sanofi Ordered to Pay More Than $400,000 to Family Over Depakine Side Effects

A French court has ordered Sanofi to pay more than $400,000 in damages to a family that wasn’t informed about the potential for birth defects related to the company’s epilepsy drug Depakine (sodium valproate).

The case centered on a child whose autism was said to be linked to the mother taking the drug during pregnancy.  The court ruled Sanofi at fault because the labeling information for Depakine was inadequate.

The company said that it will appeal the decision.

In 2020, Sanofi was indicted for possible manslaughter charges for  four infants allegedly linked to Depakine taken during pregnancy. That case is still ongoing.