Tri-Service

MOD Under Pressure To Stop Prescribing Anti-Malaria Drug Lariam

The Ministry of Defence is being urged to stop handing out a controversial anti-malaria tablet to British soldiers.

The side-effects of Mefloquine, or Lariam, have been linked to severe depression and other mental illnesses.

Conservative MP Johnny Mercer says he's received dozens of letters from service personnel claiming they have become affected since taking it.

Larium is a once a week drug to protect against malaria

The MOD say they follow the guidance of Public Health England.

In a statement they said:

“Based on this expert advice, the MOD continues to prescribe mefloquine as part of the range of recommended malaria prevention treatments, which help protect personnel from this life-threatening disease.

Mefloquine is used by civilians and military personnel throughout the world and we only ever prescribe it after an individual risk assessment.”

Our reporter Tim Cooper has been finding out more (above).