MOD: Troops to undergo risk assessment before being given anti-malarial drugs
THE Ministry of Defence is revising the way it issues a controversial anti-malarial drug to troops on overseas operations amid fears that it is ruining lives.
The drug can cause depression, hallucinations and panic attacks
MPs earlier this year said there was “strong anecdotal evidence” that stringent conditions laid down by the manufacturers for issuing Lariam had been ignored by the Armed Forces.
It has been associated in a minority of users with depression, hallucinations and panic attacks.
In response to a critical report by the Defence select committee, the MoD has said it is revising malaria prevention policy to direct that all anti-malarial drugs are only supplied after a face-to-face travel health risk assessment is carried out.
Conservative Johnny Mercer, a member of the committee, said the MoD had failed to take the issue “seriously for quite some time”.
The Ministry of Defence is revising the way it issues a controversial anti-malarial drug to troops
He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: “The evidence is very clear. Prescribing a drug outside the parameters clearly laid down by the manufactures is not acceptable.”
Depression and hallucination are amongst the possible side of effects of the drug
Te MoD has said it is revising malaria prevention policy
The former army officer said the drug had been handed out without checking it was suitable.
“It was handed out without doing those risk assessments. Consequently there are a number of people in this country who feel that their lives have been ruined by taking this drug when they shouldn't have been.”