§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 January,Official Report, column 243, what (a) representations and (b) reports he has received alleging adverse side effects arising from the anti-malarial treatment lariam; and if he will make a statement. [18221]
§ Mr. HoramMinisters have received a small amount of correspondence concerning the possible side-effects of lariam—mefloquine.
From 1990, when lariam was launched in the United Kingdom, to 27 February 1996, the Medicines Control Agency has received 757 reports of 2,054 suspected adverse reactions for mefloquine. This is an increase of 152 reports—the majority of which are not serious—since the answer I gave on 24 January 1996. However, this number of reports is not unexpected in view of recent media attention concerning lariam which encouraged patients to report possible reactions. Receipt of a report of a reaction does not necessarily mean that it has been caused by lariam. The product information for doctors and patients provides information on the adverse effects of lariam.
The Medicines Control Agency will continue to monitor lariam and review any new evidence that may emerge to ensure that the potential benefits outweigh the risks.