Three separate lawsuits have been filed in the Federal Court by a total of 8 individuals against the Government of Canada alleging that the Government, through the Department of National Defence, ordered members of the Canadian Armed Forces to take an anti-malarial medication known as "Mefloquine" without adequately informing CAF Members of the severe adverse reactions, despite warnings from the drug manufacturer.. The lawsuits allege that the wrongdoing occurred from 1990-2017. These are three of several lawsuits being brought by thousands of current and former CAF Members against the Government of Canada for the suffering (or injuries or harm) that ensued from being forced to take Mefloquine.
Mefloquine is known to cause serious side effects that can persist for months or years and can become permanent. Symptoms serious include:
- anxiety
- unreasonable feeling that people are trying to harm you, do not like you, etc. (Paranoia)
- depression
- seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- thought of suicide or harming yourself
- feeling restless
- feeling confused
- unusual behavior
Mefloquine can cause serious nervous-system problems in some people. Symptoms of serious nervous system problems include:
- dizziness
- a feeling that you or things around you are moving or spinning (vertigo)
- loss of balance
- ringing sound in your ears (tinnitus)
- convulsions (seizures) in people who already have seizures (epilepsy)
- unable to sleep (insomnia)
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.