'Baffling' that Defence Forces prescribed Lariam while State faces dozens of personal injury claims for alleged side effects

It is “baffling” that Defence Forces personnel are still being prescribed with anti-malarial drug Lariam, while the State faces dozens of personal injury claims due to alleged side effects of the medicine, the Dáil has heard.

The recent announcement that the Cabinet has approved sending the Army Ranger Wing to the UN Mission in Mali has brought renewed questions about the use of Lariam, which has been blamed for side effects such as depression and suicidal ideation among Defence Forces personnel.