The anti-malarial drug mefloquine,
also known as Lariam, has been in
the headlines recently as it continues
to be prescribed by the MoD to
British troops stationed in regions of
the world where malaria is a concern,
such as Kenya and Sierra Leone.
There have been calls to ban its use
within the military with immediate
effect.
Since 2007 it has been known that
the drug, which is manufactured
by Roche, can lead to adverse
psychiatric side effects and severe
mental illness.
The MoD recently confirmed
mefloquine, or Lariam, is still the firstchoice
anti-malaria drug prescribed
to service personnel, despite other
drugs being available which do not
induce mental health-related side
effects in individuals.
Our expert Military Injury Claims
team has been contacted by a
number of former service personnel
who were prescribed Lariam and
who describe a range of mental
health issues, including depression,
severe anxiety, paranoia,
hallucinations and panic attacks.
We are currently investigating the
post-prescription effects of the drug
and would like to hear from service
personnel who have suffered similar
side effects.
Kevin Timms, a specialist group
actions solicitor who is leading the
investigation into the use of Lariam
in the Armed Forces, said: “Serious
concerns about the use of Lariam
have been well known for a number
of years, particularly its use by the
MoD as the first-choice anti-malaria
drug for large numbers of British
troops. These concerns have still not
been fully addressed and it is vital
this is rectified immediately”.
“We are concerned that, at least since 2007, it has been public knowledge
of the potential for severe psychiatric injuries for some of those using Lariam,
but service personnel about to be deployed continue to be prescribed the
drug, despite the military environment being more likely to trigger Lariam
adverse events.”
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