Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will ensure that the MOD Defence Medical Service updates its policy on Mefloquine-damaged veterans to (a) acknowledge the recent confirmation by NHS England that Mefloquine neurotoxicity (i) exists and (ii) requires clinical management, (b) accept that misdiagnosis of Mefloquine-damaged veterans as having PTSD can lead to the prescribing of inappropriate psychiatric medication (A) leading to serious worsening of their condition and (B) impeding the search for effective treatment of brain damage caused by Mefloquine, and (c) develop a communications strategy, in conjunction with other relevant MOD bodies and the NHS, to make veterans and GPs aware that veterans presenting with suicidal ideation should routinely be checked for exposure to Mefloquine during their past service in the armed forces.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
I refer the hon. member to the answer provided by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in January this year. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-12/104605
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and DHSC recognise that mefloquine is associated with neurological and psychiatric adverse effects. Defence Medical Command (DMedC) support an approach to healthcare in which treatment is directed towards the patient’s clinical diagnosis and presenting symptoms and managed in accordance with current evidence-based clinical practice and relevant national guidance. DMedC is not aware of evidence or national guidance that recommends withholding otherwise appropriate treatments where clinically indicated, solely on the basis of previous mefloquine exposure.
The MOD will continue to review emerging evidence, including systematic reviews, regulatory advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MRHA) and recommendations from expert bodies concerned with malaria prevention.
As outlined in the response by the former Minister for Health Innovation and Safety, NHS England is considering adding screening for prior mefloquine use and any associated adverse events to initial Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE assessments.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has met with Fighting with Pride to discuss the operation of the Financial Recognition Scheme.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
The Ministry of Defence values the insights and expertise of partners from across the charity sector and welcomes regular dialogue. Defence Ministers and officials regularly meet with its representatives, including the Chief Executive Officer.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to include within the Financial Recognition Scheme ("FRS") those veterans who resigned from the armed forces as a result of pressure to do so on account of their sexual orientation; if he will ensure that Subject Access Requests by such veterans for their Service Records will be prioritised in time to meet the FRS application deadline of 12 December 2026; and what provisions he will make for the proper consideration of applications by such veterans to the FRS whose relevant contemporary documentation has been destroyed by his Department.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
The scope of the Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) already includes those who felt pressured to resign and they are encouraged to apply for the LGBT Impact Payment. The Impact Payment is assessed by an Independent Panel, separate from and independent of Defence, and provides recognition for a broad range of impacts felt under the Ban, including experiencing pressure to resign.
Defence does not require applicants to provide service records to support their application and encourages veterans to apply with their own personal testimonies. Subject Access Requests from any individuals, not just LGBT veterans, can take time to complete, not only due to high demand but also as records are stored in multiple locations. Prioritising requests from LGBT veterans would be unfair on other veterans applying to other Defence schemes that do require such evidence.
All applications are considered on a basis of reverse burden of proof; the information provided by the applicant will be accepted if the reported events are more likely to have occurred than not, unless there is evidence on their case file to the contrary. This approach prevents applicants being disadvantaged due to records being incomplete through no fault of their own.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of whether the Independent Impact Panel has sufficient capacity to determine all outstanding claims, before the Financial Recognition Scheme closes, made by veterans pressured into leaving the armed forces on account of their sexuality.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
Defence is committed to ensuring all applications are completed equitably and in the timeliest manner possible. Steps have been taken to increase the speed of processing Impact Payment applications, including recruiting both an additional Independent Panel Chair and Members, thereby enabling further Panel sittings each week. Application numbers and processing speeds are continually monitored to ensure any additional measures are taken to enable the conclusion of all applications by, or soon after, the time the Scheme closes for applications.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps have (a) the Surgeon General’s Office and (b) the Ministry of Defence more widely taken as a result of the 2016 recommendations of the Defence Committee report (HC567) on its inquiry into the harmful effects of Lariam (Mefloquine) on some Service personnel; and on which of the recommendations were actions (i) begun but not completed, and (ii) never initiated.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Defence Committee Report (HC567) made a series of recommendations on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) use of mefloquine (trade name Lariam), individual risk assessments, research undertaken research on mefloquine, and comparisons with the use of mefloquine by allies.
In response to the report, MOD introduced a new policy on prescribing antimalarial drugs on 12 September 2016. Anti-malaria drugs, including mefloquine, are only prescribed after a face-to-face individual risk assessment. The recommended anti-malaria drug is determined by the sensitivity of malaria parasites to those drugs in different parts of the world based on UKHSA guidance. Mefloquine is only prescribed by a doctor and after all other alternatives have been identified as unsuitable.
In all cases, the authority and supply details for anti-malarial drugs are recorded on the individual’s medical note. Personnel supplied with anti-malarial drugs are issued copies of all manufacturer-provided patient documentation relevant to that drug and are informed of all special warnings or precautions relevant to anti-malarial drugs.
The Department continues to monitor and publish bi-annual statistics on the number of mefloquine prescriptions given to UK Armed Forces personnel at MOD medical facilities.
The latest release of information can be found at the following link:
The next release is due to be published on 28 May 2026 and will include data from 12 September 2016 to 31 March 2026.
The MOD continues to monitor the use of mefloquine and other anti-malarial drugs by allies. This includes the extent to and circumstances in which mefloquine is prescribed.
The Department previously outlined its intention to conduct a research proposal into the impact of adverse effects of anti-malaria drugs focusing on the performance of military personnel exercising in Kenya. The study, ‘Impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel’ (713/MODREC/15) was initiated and data on the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on the functional effectiveness of military personnel collected from two British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) battlegroups between 2017-18. Following a delay in the analysis of the data, the department intend to undertake further work to be able publish the findings in a peer reviewed journal in 2027.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the results of his Department's research study number 713/MoDREC/15 on anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis, including Lariam (Mefloquine).
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Defence Committee Report (HC567) made a series of recommendations on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) use of mefloquine (trade name Lariam), individual risk assessments, research undertaken research on mefloquine, and comparisons with the use of mefloquine by allies.
In response to the report, MOD introduced a new policy on prescribing antimalarial drugs on 12 September 2016. Anti-malaria drugs, including mefloquine, are only prescribed after a face-to-face individual risk assessment. The recommended anti-malaria drug is determined by the sensitivity of malaria parasites to those drugs in different parts of the world based on UKHSA guidance. Mefloquine is only prescribed by a doctor and after all other alternatives have been identified as unsuitable.
In all cases, the authority and supply details for anti-malarial drugs are recorded on the individual’s medical note. Personnel supplied with anti-malarial drugs are issued copies of all manufacturer-provided patient documentation relevant to that drug and are informed of all special warnings or precautions relevant to anti-malarial drugs.
The Department continues to monitor and publish bi-annual statistics on the number of mefloquine prescriptions given to UK Armed Forces personnel at MOD medical facilities.
The latest release of information can be found at the following link:
The next release is due to be published on 28 May 2026 and will include data from 12 September 2016 to 31 March 2026.
The MOD continues to monitor the use of mefloquine and other anti-malarial drugs by allies. This includes the extent to and circumstances in which mefloquine is prescribed.
The Department previously outlined its intention to conduct a research proposal into the impact of adverse effects of anti-malaria drugs focusing on the performance of military personnel exercising in Kenya. The study, ‘Impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel’ (713/MODREC/15) was initiated and data on the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on the functional effectiveness of military personnel collected from two British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) battlegroups between 2017-18. Following a delay in the analysis of the data, the department intend to undertake further work to be able publish the findings in a peer reviewed journal in 2027.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance his Department has provided to the NHS on appropriate treatment for former Service personnel presenting with suicidal ideation resulting from brain injury caused by neurological side-effects of Lariam (Mefloquine) antimalarial prophylaxis; and how such guidance differs from that required for people experiencing purely psychiatric crises.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
Mefloquine, trade name Lariam, is recommended as an effective anti-malarial by international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation. Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the National Health Service both follow National Institute for Care and Excellence guidelines on the prescription and management of side effects associated with mefloquine.
MOD is engaged with NHS England (NHSE) through the NHSE Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group. This group has reviewed the clinical management of the side effects associated with mefloquine. As symptoms can resemble acute psychiatric conditions, clinicians are advised to assess patients individually and are expected to take a full drug and alcohol history, including any previous mefloquine use.
The side effects that may be experienced whilst taking, or with a history of having taken mefloquine, will be treated according to the diagnosis; for example, if the patient is experiencing depressive symptoms, the treatment for depression will be instigated.
Since 2016, MOD has admitted mefloquine can cause minor psychiatric injury in certain individuals for a limited period of time. Causation of long-term psychiatric injury is denied.
I would encourage any Veteran who is struggling with their mental health to self-refer or seek the support of their GP to access Op COURAGE, the Veterans' Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Fourth Report of the Defence Committee of Session 2014-15 entitled An acceptable risk? The use of Lariam for military personnel, HC 567, published on 10 May 2016, how many Service personnel were issued with (a) Lariam (Mefloquine) and (b) other anti-malarial prophylaxis in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Department continues to monitor and publish bi-annual statistics on the number of prescriptions for mefloquine (also known as Larium) given to UK armed forces personnel at Ministry of Defence medical facilities since 12 September 2016. The full release of information can be found at the following link:
The number of all antimalarials prescribed to armed forces personnel during the period Sept 2016 to 30 March 2023 is available at Table 1 at the following link:
There were 29,830 antimalarials, not including mefloquine, prescribed between 1 April 2023 – 30 September 2025. Table 1, below, provides this information by 6-month period and year. Antimalarials include prescriptions for doxycycline. Doxycycline may have been prescribed for antibiotic or antimalarial purposes.
Table 1: Other antimalarial prescriptions1 by annual and six-month period, numbers
1 April 2023 to 30 September 2025
Financial Year | Other Antimalarial Annual Total | Six month period | Other Antimalarial Six Monthly Total |
2023/24 | 13,749 | 01-Apr-23 to 30-Sep-23 | 8,423 |
|
| 01-Oct-23 to 31-Mar-24 | 5,326 |
2024/25 | 10,414 | 01-Apr-24 to 30-Sep-24 | 5,511 |
|
| 01-Oct-24 to 31-Mar-25 | 4,903 |
2025/262 | 5,667 | 01-Apr-25 to 30-Sep-25 | 5,667 |
1 Does not include mefloquine prescriptions.
2 Includes prescriptions between 1 April 2025 and 30 September 2025 only.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on the Chagos Islands of the joint naval exercises undertaken by South Africa with (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) other BRICS partners in South African waters in January 2026.
Answered by Al Carns
There are no implications for the Ministry of Defence's policy on the Chagos Islands of South Africa's joint naval exercises in its waters.
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Ministers were first made aware of documents (a) confirming abnormal levels of radiation in fish near UK atomic test sites in the Pacific and (b) advising that their contents are incompatible with official statements previously submitted in court cases brought on behalf of nuclear test veterans; and what action they took.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
I was first made aware of the unfinished draft document relating to historic nuclear testing at Christmas Island in December 2025. Following the release of the draft document by AWE, I wrote to interested MPs and LABRATS advising them of its release and explaining its contents on 2 March 2026.