Anti-malaria drug taken off shelves in Ireland

The controversial anti- malarial drug Lariam has been withdrawn from sale in the Irish market.

The availability of the drug was discontinued at the end of July but the supplier Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd said yesterday the withdrawal decision was not linked a number of legal cases pending before the High Court.

Lariam is at the centre of a number of legal actions against the State by current and former members of the Defence Forces. The the first case is due to start soon. The Health Products Regulatory Authority yesterday confirmed that the marketing authorisation for Lariam 250mg tablets (PA 50/73/1) in Ireland was withdrawn by Roche Products Ltd in July.