Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
32. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will order a full health screening of all serving and former members of the Defence Forces to assess the effects on their health by the compulsory ingestion of lariam in view of the decision to offer an alternative anti-malaria drug to Defence Forces personnel operating overseas (details supplied). [3729/20]
View answerThe use of anti-malarial drugs is a medical matter to be decided by medical professionals. In the Defence Forces, these are matters for highly qualified medical officers having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.
The selection by a Medical Officer of the most appropriate drug for use is a complex one and dependent on a number of factors. Significant precautions are taken by the Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of personnel to take any of the anti-malarial medications, all of which have contraindications and side effects. I am advised that the Defence Forces Medical Policy on the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis (including the use of Lariam) is in line with United Nations and World Health Organisation guidelines.
Defence Forces personnel posted overseas are comprehensively medically assessed in advance of and post-deployment, and are subject to routine medical assessments. Personnel also have access on an ongoing basis to the wide range of medical supports available to the Defence Forces.
