Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Tuesday, 27 November 2018

Questions (100)

Clare Daly

Question:

100. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary question No. 30 of 9 October 2018, if the figures provided include persons being double-counted such as in an example (details supplied) or if the figures represent only discrete individual cases. [48957/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

I refer to the clarification sought by the Deputy in relation to the figures that were provided further to her Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 9 October 2018.

I have requested the information from the Military Authorities and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

The military authorities have now reverted with regard to this matter and have provided me with updated figures as set out in the table below. These figures were co-ordinated by the military authorities based on records of those who drew down their prescription from Defence Forces pharmacists for anti-malarial medication in each year.

Malaria chemoprophylaxis prescribed	Total	2017	2018
Mefloquine (Lariam)	110	62	48
Malarone	24	3	21
Doxycycline	31	16	15

The military authorities have advised that due to an administrative oversight, the figures previously provided for 2018 did not include visiting/working parties or enlisted personnel. The figures for 2017 have been updated to include those whose tour of duty commenced in 2016. The military authorities have advised that the figures provided are in respect of discreet individuals who received anti-malarial medication in each of the years in question. I am advised that no double counting has occurred.

I wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused.