§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned by his Department into the side effects of the use of mefloquine as an anti-malarial drug. [10896]
§ Mr. MaloneMy right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health has not undertaken or commissioned any formal studies into the side effects of melfloquine. Following grant of marketing authorisation, based on rigorous evaluation of quality, safety and efficacy by the Licensing Authority and its expert advisory bodies, the Medicines Control Agency has continued to monitor the safety of mefloquine. Data became available from spontaneous adverse reaction reports, published literature and ongoing studies in patients. However, the MCA continue to monitor the safety of mefloquine to ensure that its benefits in treating and preventing malaria outweigh the risk of adverse reactions.