Anti-malarial medication support available for veterans

DVA is working with its program partner Bupa to deliver comprehensive health assessments for veterans concerned about having taken the anti-malarial medications Mefloquine and Tafenoquine during service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Records show that between July 2000 and January 2018, fewer than 2,000 ADF personnel were prescribed Mefloquine. Most of these prescriptions were as part of ADF trials in East Timor from 2000 to 2002. In comparison, Mefloquine is much more commonly prescribed in the civilian population, with more than 11,000 Australian civilians prescribed the drug in 2016 alone.

DVA’s Anti-malarial Health Assessment program enables veterans to receive a free-of-charge health assessment from a GP who has been selected on the grounds of their unique experience in providing medical care to serving and ex-serving personnel.

Veterans will receive a health support recommendations report at the end of the assessment, which forms the basis for clinical and diagnostic testing and appropriate pathways for ongoing treatment by the veterans’ regular GP.

Health assessments are available in select locations around Australia, or by telehealth appointment (phone or video conference).

Currently there are GPs offering assessments in Brisbane, Ipswich, Townsville, Darwin, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne (Dandenong), Mildura, Bendigo, Sydney, and the ACT.

Any veterans who may be interested in receiving a health assessment are encouraged to call DVA’s 1800 MEFLOQUINE hotline (1800 633 567) or Bupa directly on 1800 612 798 to schedule an appointment.

More information is available on the DVA website.