Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions taken on foot of the two reports of the working group on Lariam. [5205/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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A Malaria Chemoprophylaxis Working Group was established in January 2011 and reported in April 2013. The Group was re-convened in August 2015 and reported in October 2017. The purpose of the Group was to review, inter alia, issues arising in relation to the use of Lariam, particularly in the context of the current and potential litigation.

The re-convened Working Group's recommendations focus on a number of different areas including planning, training and education/information sharing as well as the establishment of a Medical Advisory Group. This will formalise the provision of on-going expert medical advice, including external expert medical advice, to the Defence Forces in relation to a range of medical matters including chemoprophylaxis. I have accepted these recommendations and have established an Implementation Group. This Implementation Group is progressing its work.