Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I explained to the Deputy, the Defence Forces continue to use it because, unlike the US military, they do not engage in mass prescribing without individualised assessment of Defence Forces personnel travelling abroad. Individualised assessment is important. It is also important that individuals being assessed engage truthfully with the medical assessor and that they, if in receipt of prescribed medicines or suffering from depression or showing other contraindications, disclose this to the medical assessor. This is an issue on which I have been constantly briefed since my appointment. I am aware of the background to the small number of cases being taken. I am also aware of the concerns expressed in this area. I am assured that individual assessments and proper oversight for a short number of weeks following commencement of the taking of the medication provide essential protections. In the context of the deployments in respect of which Lariam has been used, this is to ensure members of the Defence Forces are protected from contracting malaria, a disease that can have terminal consequences.

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