Sir Julian Lewis:  To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance her Department has issued to general practitioners for treating armed forces veterans; and what assessment she has made of the impact on the formulation of this guidance of NHS England's recent recognition that mefloquine toxicity exists, with particular reference to screening questions investigating whether the antimalarial drug lariam has previously been prescribed.  [35502]

[Due for Answer on 20 October. Answered on 29 October.]

HOLDING ANSWER: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

ANSWER

The Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety (Dame Diana Johnson): NHS England is developing guidance for clinicians on screening for previous mefloquine use, drawing on relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. Subject to completion of NHS England’s internal governance processes, the guidance will be published on the NHS Armed Forces Training and Education Programme library website. The Royal College of General Practitioners has agreed to include the guidance within the resources available to GPs through the Veteran Friendly GP accreditation scheme.