Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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299. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to continue prescribing Lariam to members of the Defence Forces; if consideration is being given to the withdrawal of this medication from the range of anti-malarial medications made available to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30521/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Malaria is a serious disease and is a threat to any military force operating in areas where the disease is prevalent. There are three anti-malarial drugs in use by the Irish Defence Forces, namely Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone and Doxycycline. The choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, 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 Irish Defence Forces.

Significant precautions are taken by Irish Defence Forces Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of our Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. It is the policy of the Irish Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability.

The health and welfare of the Defence Forces are a priority for me. Anti-malarial medications, including Lariam, remain in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by Malaria.