Anti-malarial link to deaths 'not known'

NEITHER MINISTER for Defence Alan Shatter nor the Defence Forces Medical Corps “are aware of any link” between “suspected” suicides of soldiers and use of anti-malarial drug mefloquine, the Department of Defence has said.

Responding to claims of a link between the drug and the deaths of 15 Irish soldiers since 2001, the department said it was medical corps policy to screen personnel before and after overseas deployments. Those with contraindications to mefloquine, often sold as Lariam, were deemed unsuitable for overseas service and were not prescribed the medication, it said.

The drug has been issued to Irish soldiers since 2001 when it was prescribed for those going to Eritrea. Soldiers on later missions to Liberia and Chad were also given it. It had been linked to suicide ideation, paranoia and aggression when administered to those unsuitable for it.

Former soldier Tony Moore, a spokesman for Action Lariam, which supports serving and former Defence Forces personnel who believe they’ve been affected by the drug, said 15 soldiers had died by suicide since 2001 and had taken it. He called for it to be withdrawn and for an inquiry into the suicides and negative health side-effects related to the drug.

Kate and Pat from Wexford, who did not want their surnames used, told The Irish Times their son, a former soldier, attempted suicide after being in Chad in 2006. He had taken the drug while using an inhaler for hay fever.

He attempted suicide and was later discharged. The couple said they wanted answers for their son.