Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of the 14 self-inflicted deaths and suicides in the Defence Force personnel, who had previously been prescribed Lariam that were reported as a possible adverse drug reaction by Defence Forces medical staff to the Health Products Regulatory Authority or its predecessor, the Irish Medicines Board. [35703/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Defence Forces. I will revert to the Deputy in due course.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
On 20 October, 2016 in response to Parliamentary Question No. 309, I indicated that there were 14 self-inflicted deaths of Defence Force members who had previously taken Lariam. The Defence Forces has since clarified that there were 12 self-inflicted deaths of Defence Force personnel for the period 2000 to 2012 who had previously taken Lariam and not 14 as indicated in previous responses. One individual’s death was accidental and one individual had not been prescribed Lariam, and these had been included in the original figure of 14. A review of the twelve medical files shows that none of their medical files make any reference to the reporting of potential or actual adverse reactions to the Irish Medicines Board/Health Products Regulatory Authority.
