Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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135. To ask the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the freedom of information request, released by the British Ministry of Defence in April 2015, which revealed almost 1,000 former servicemen and servicewomen required psychiatric treatment and are suffering serious mental health problems after being prescribed Lariam; and his plans to review the Irish Defence Forces' use of this controversial drug. [21352/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Malaria is a very serious disease. It kills approximately 1 million people per year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. It is a grave threat to any military force operating in that area.

My Department is aware of recent media articles in relation to the Freedom of Information request, released by the British Ministry of Defence to which the Deputy refers. While I appreciate the Deputy raising this matter, the issues relating to the use of Lariam are well documented. With regard to the issue in the U.K. Defence Forces to which you refer, the Irish Military Authorities advise me that it is a matter for individual Defence Forces to determine whichever malaria chemoprophylaxis it deems most suitable for use. Individual Defence Forces may have regard to the operational commitments and the medical and ancillary support available to its personnel on the ground whilst also taking account of the particular licensing regulations in respect of the drug, pertaining to their jurisdiction. It would be inappropriate for the Irish Defence Forces to comment on other Nations policy in this regard.

As you will be aware, the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) formerly the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines in Ireland. The Defence Forces policy in regard to the prescribing of Lariam is in line with current HPRA guidelines.

It is the policy of the Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability, i.e. a medical risk assessment for Lariam is carried out on an individual basis.

The Defence Forces are fully aware of the range of reported side effects attaching to all anti-malarial medications. Significant precautions are taken by the Medical Corps in assessing the medical suitability of members of the Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. The choice of chemoprophylaxis is dependent on a number of factors. These include 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 concerns 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.

Lariam 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 the most effective protection from the very serious risks posed by this highly dangerous disease.