Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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96. To ask the Minister for Defence the risk assessments that were carried out prior to prescribing Lariam in relation to the risk of the drug, in order to comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (details supplied); given that a detailed risk assessment for malaria prior to deployment in Liberia was carried out by the Defence Forces, and in order for a proper decision to be made then, if a written risk assessment for malaria would have to be analysed with an equivalent document analysing the risk posed by Lariam. [39668/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 does not apply to Defence Forces personnel when they are on active service. Nevertheless, I am informed by the military authorities that risk assessments are carried out for all mission areas. These risk assessments are intended to identify all hazards that might exist in a mission area, including health risks. Suitable control measures are then put in place to minimise identified risks. Where a health risk is identified the control measures will include preventative medication where appropriate.

Where malaria has been identified as a risk, 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 on the basis of best international practice having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces are aware of the range of reported side effects attaching to all anti-malarial medications. Significant precautions are taken by the Defence Forces Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of the Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. 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 policy in relation to the use of anti-malarial medication is in line with current Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) approved summary of product characteristics (SmPC).

Anti-malarial medications, including Lariam, remains in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas mission, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by Malaria.