MoD confirms 434 Lariam claims settled with veterans’ solicitors

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that all 434 legal claims brought by Hilary Meredith Solicitors on behalf of Armed Forces personnel over the use of the anti-malarial drug Lariam have been settled, according to a written response provided to Parliament on 14 October.

Labour MP Emma Lewell (South Shields) submitted three questions to the Ministry of Defence seeking clarity on the cost of the settlements, the use of confidentiality clauses, and the handling of any missing medical records related to Lariam prescriptions.

Responding on behalf of the department, Defence Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said that “damages have been settled in all 434 claims brought by Hilary Meredith Solicitors against the Ministry of Defence relating to the use of Lariam.” She added that “the claimants’ legal costs have still to be resolved.”

Lariam, the trade name for mefloquine, was prescribed to some members of the Armed Forces deployed to malarial regions during the early 2000s and 2010s. The drug has been linked to a range of adverse side effects, including anxiety, depression and vivid nightmares.

In a separate written answer, Sandher-Jones confirmed that the Ministry of Defence had agreed with Hilary Meredith Solicitors to include a confidentiality clause as part of the court order covering the damages settlement. She said, “It is a common feature of out of court settlements to keep confidential the amount of damages paid to claimants as well as the amount of legal costs paid to their solicitors.”

Lewell also questioned whether any medical records relating to the use of Lariam by service personnel were missing or withheld. In response, Sandher-Jones said that the Ministry “is not aware of any issues concerning missing medical records on the use of Lariam (mefloquine) by Armed Forces personnel.” She further confirmed that “there are no outstanding requests for any medical records where a person believes they have been prescribed Lariam.”