Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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484. To ask the Minister for Defence in view of previous statements that ten soldiers were reported as having side effects from Lariam, the number of these that were NCOs and the number that were privates. [42111/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities that previous statements provided information referring to 3 members of the Defence Forces, with serious symptomatology which may have been caused or contributed to by Lariam, although there was nothing conculsive. I understand that all personnel have made a full recovery and that their cases were reported to the Irish Medicines Board at the time. In addition there was a further seven personnel with less dramatic symptomatology which were under review. There was no conclusive evidence that Lariam was a factor in any of those cases.

I am further advised that details of Defence Forces personnel’s rank are not provided in association with details of personnel’s medical conditions, as this could possibly lead to identification of the personnel involved. Additionally, in order to identify the ranks of the individuals concerned, this would involve a review of all medical files to be carried out and resources are not available to allow for such an extensive file review.

I am advised that the Defence Forces policy in relation to the prescribing of Lariam is in line with current Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) guidelines, formerly the Irish Medicines Board. The HPRA is the statutory authority with responsibility for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland.

It is the policy of the Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness and medical suitability for service overseas including a medical risk assessment for Lariam.

Where malaria has been identified as a risk in a particular mission area, the choice of chemoprophylaxis is dependent on a number of factors including the type of malaria in the destination, resistance to particular drugs, the profile of the traveller (contra-indications, underlying health conditions, purpose of travel) the duration of travel and adherence issues. The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.

Former Ministers for Defence have had the various allegations surrounding the use of Lariam investigated thoroughly and obtained the advice of leading medical experts, who concur with the prescribing practices followed by the Defence Forces. Anti-malarial medications must remain in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by this highly dangerous disease.