Written answers

Monday, 11 September 2017

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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2103. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 314 of 28 June 2017, the reason the information could not be obtained by checking the HSPC, Health Protection Surveillance Centre, returns in view of the fact that malaria is a noticeable disease which should be reported to HSPC. [37838/17]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised that Defence Force Medical Officers are required to make returns to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on an individual basis. Therefore, in order to obtain the information that you sought, all available Defence Force Medical Officers were consulted in relation to your question of 28 June.

As I indicated to you in my reply to Parliamentary Question of 14 June 2016, summary information in respect of notifications of infectious diseases is available from the HPSC on their website. However, issues may arise in regard to the accuracy of such data in respect of Defence Force personnel as situations may arise where the status of the individual as a member of the Defence Forces was either not recorded or not declared. While m embers of the Defence Forces are encouraged to present to the military medical system, they may opt to present to a civilian general practitioner, who may not be aware that they are a member of the Defence Forces. Equally there may be members of the Defence Forces who contracted malaria while on holidays in areas where risk of malaria exists.

Therefore, the Defence Forces are not in a position to corroborate the figures collected by the HPSC attributed to Defence Force personnel.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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2104. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the WHO advice that Lariam, Malarone and doxycycline are all equally effective in preventing malaria in sub-Saharan Africa in view of the fact that in 2015 and 2016 20 to 25% of troops in sub-Saharan Africa were prescribed one of the alternatives to Lariam and there were no cases of malaria during that period. [37839/17]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that this matter was the subject of discussion at a Private Member’s Motion in the Dáil on 28th June last. As I indicated to the House at that time, Malaria is a serious disease and is a threat to any military force operating in areas where the disease is prevalent. It must be emphasised that the reason Defence Forces use a malaria chemoprophylaxis in the first instance is to protect personnel.

In the WHO International Travel and Health Handbook it provides for a range of anti-malarials which includes mefloquine (Lariam). All of these anti-malaria drugs have contraindications and side effects. As I have stressed in previous replies to Parliamentary Questions on this issue, significant precautions are taken by the 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 Defence Forces that individuals are screened by a Medical Officer for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability.

There are three anti-malarial drugs in use in the 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 Defence Forces.

A Working Group is currently examining issues arising in relation to the use of Lariam and has obtained advice from leading medical experts both national and international. I expect to receive the Group’s Report shortly and I can assure the Deputy that I will carefully consider its recommendations.

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