Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1459. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the remaining number of Lariam tablets held by the Defence Forces is less than 200; and if when exhausted, the stockpile of Lariam will be replaced with a safer alternative anti malaria drug. [19479/17]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1466. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost of replacing Lariam with Malarone or Doxcycline to be used for overseas troops on an annual basis. [19547/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1459 and 1466 together.

As I already outlined to the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 694 and 695 on 4 April last, I am advised by the military authorities that drugs are purchased on a demand basis under the four year framework agreement on the supply and pricing of medicines. This agreement is between the Irish pharmaceutical healthcare association (IPHA) and the HSE. There are no plans at this time to withdraw lariam from the range of anti-malarial medications available to the Defence Forces.

The Deputy will be aware that the choice of medication for overseas deployment is a medical decision made by the medical officers in the Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member. The cost of the anti-malarial medication prescribed is not a factor in this decision making process.