http://danas.net.hr/svijet/jeftini-zombi-lijek-tisucu-britanskih-vojnika-zavrsilo-u-ludnicama

British Army is accused of not protecting the mental health of its soldiers. Data shows that it almost 1000 soldiers eneded under psychiatric treatment after the Ministry of Defense purchased a cheap remedy against malaria, Lariam.

Under the Freedom of Information (FOI) was revealed that the number of infected soldiers is much higher than previously thought - since 2008 in the clinic for mental health and psychiatric hospitals were received 994 soldiers.

Data can only be followed by 2007 so that the real number may be much higher because Lariam, also known as mefloquine, was used lot longer.

The British Ministry of Defense has consistently defended the drug, which is one of several issued to soldiers, from accusations that Lariam contributes to the epidemic of mental illness among armed forces personnel. And they do it despite the increasing pressure of senior commanders, activists and relatives of patients.

The drug, which the US Special Operations forces have banned two years ago, and that the UK army avoids giving to pilots and divers, is still issued to the infantry.

Its utilization continues despite evidence that this antimalarial is associated with the massacre in Panjwai 2012, when an American soldiers slaughtered 17 Afghan civilians after taking the drug.

Sergeant Robert Bales, responsible for the massacre, in the meantime, was sentenced to life in prison.

In an internal report, Roche, the manufacturer of the drug, described the murders as "adverse event".

Roche himself admits that side effects may include "hallucinations, psychosis, suicide, suicidal thoughts and behavior that leads only-endangerment" and can cause "serious neuropsychiatric disorders."

And the commander of British forces in Bosnia - is in an asylum

Catastrophic data went out in public when it was discovered that the retired British general, who took the drug during his active service, is currently located in protected psychiatric unit.

Major General Alastair Duncan was commander of British soldiers in Bosnia.

His wife Ellen told The Independent: "Like others, I believe this is a scandal. If 1000 soldiers reported problems then you can be sure that there are those who did not. I personally know a number of them, and they have mentioned much more ".

"The evidences in long-term of consequences will be more and more in future years," she said.

She added that the Ministry of Defense is "astonishingly unprepared to deal with this problem."

Dr. Remington Nevin, an epidemiologist of the US military whose research has shown that the drug can be toxic to the brain in 2012 told the Daily Mail: "Mefloquine is a zombie drug. It is dangerous and should be banned a long time ago."

He said Lariam is "probably the worst suited drug for the military," adding that its side effects coincide with the symptoms of combat stress.

Examining why the drug remains in use, a former general believed to be a "economy that prevailed over concern for the welfare of soldiers."

A former marine, Major General Julian Thompson commanded the 3rd Brigade specials during the Falklands War.

People get crazy because of 'some armchairer'?

"I can only conclude that the Ministry of Defense has a large stock of Lario, and some 'armchairer' has declared it saving measure: stocks must be spend before purchasing a replacement drug," he told the Independent.

The LARIUM is considerably cheaper than the other anti-malarial drugs such as doxycycline and Malarone.

Defense Ministry spokesman, said: "All of our medical advice is based on the current guidelines established by the Institute for Public Health England."

"Based on the expert advice the Department of Defense continues to prescribe mefloquine (Lariam) as part of the recommended treatment of prevention of malaria, which helps to protect soldiers from this disease," he blabbed in best bureaucratic manner.

In the heat of the election campaign, the British Labor Party could not miss offered and so promised to fully resolve Lari problem if the party comes to power in general elections next May.

"Given the increasing evidence of potential damage caused by this medicine we are committed to immediately revise if we get the chance to form the next government," said The Minister of Defense in the shadow Vernon Coaker.

Danas.hr
17/04/2015.

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IZAKOVIC