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

The decision to prescribe lariam is not based on cost but based on it being the appropriate medication to prescribe to provide protection against malaria for members of the Defence Forces going to particular regions. I remind the Deputy that the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines for use in Ireland. That applies to all medicines and not just lariam. It does not have a special role simply with regard to the Defence Forces. For any prescription medicines that the Deputy, I or any other Member of this House might take, we are reliant on the best advices and expertise of the Irish Medicines Board.

Following approval and use of a medicine, the IMB monitors the type and frequency of any reported side effects. As product usage increases more information on safety profile becomes available. Further decisions and recommendations regarding its use are made by the IMB and its international counterparts. The Defence Forces comply fully with IMB guidelines on the prescription of medicines for members of the Defence Forces. Defence Forces policy is firstly to screen personnel for medical suitability and fitness to serve abroad.

Fitness to serve abroad is defined by medical classification code. Personnel who do not achieve the specific code are deemed to be medically unfit for overseas service. This automatically rules them out.

I assure the Deputy that this is an issue of which I was aware before I came into office, it is an issue about which I have regularly asked questions and it is one I am monitoring carefully. It is of great importance that our Defence Forces have the best possible medical information available to them and that we operate within that context and on the best advice of the Irish Medicines Board. This is what we will continue to do. In so far as any issue could arise, the Deputy can be assured I will ensure that any issue that does arise is fully addressed.

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