Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697640911612.pdf (Australia)
Submission to the inquiry into the use of the Quinoline anti-malarial drugs Mefloquine and Tafenoquine in the Australian Defence Force.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am 44 years of age.

I joined the Australian Army in 1992 and discharged in 2004.

During this time I served with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR).

I was deployed to East Timor in 1999/2000 with 3RAR.
Whilst I was in East Timor I was attached to Charlie Company, 3RAR and on the 15th-17 February 2000 Charlie Company participated in trial of the anti-malarial drug Tafenoquine, which I consumed.

I was given a for this drug trial.

At the time we were ‘told’ that Charlie Company 3RAR were lucky and had been selected to take part in the drug trial and we were doing the Army a huge favour by participating in the trial.
It was explained in brief that this drug was only required to be taken for a short three day period compared to the other drug doxycycline which would need to be taken for a longer period after our deployment.

It was explained that it was one of the drugs the ADF recommended we take so we would not get malaria.

At the time I remember all of Charlie Company signing the drug trial paperwork.

We were told by Army medics that we were lucky the ADF had given us the drug compared to taking doxycycline.
At the time it was explained it was a superior ground breaking drug .

I thought it was strange at the time why didn’t they issue it to us in the beginning of our deployment if it was so superior.

Prior to taking the drug we were told if we noticed any side effects, we were to stop taking the drug .

The trial paperwork only listed a few negative side effects of this drug listed in a small paragraph (Page 2 of 4 of my consent form / information sheet).
I do not recall personally speaking with a doctor prior to or after the trial about taking the drug, however I do recall dealing with our company medics.

At the time of taking the medication I was part of the 3RAR ‘Para’.

Mentality at the time of the trail of the members of our company was we all though we were ‘ten foot tall and bullet proof’.

To speak about your injuries or medical problems was ‘tabu’ and a sign of weekness.

At the completion of the trial I noticed some changes in mind and body.
I quietly suffered nightmares, anxiety and depression which I now believe were caused by the drug.

These injuries were later acknowledged by the Department of Veteran Affairs where a claim for PTSD was accepted, however at the time of acceptance there was no link made to the ADF trial by the Department of Veteran Affairs and it’s findings were I had suffered a traumatic experience/s.
Use of the Quinoline anti-malarial drugs Mefloquine and Tafenoquine in the Australian Defence ForceSubmission 107 Since the trial my wife who is a registered nurse has been of the belief the trial has damaged my brain as I struggle with long and short term memory loss.

My memory was a strong trait of mine prior to this trial.

At the early weeks after returning from East Timor she just thought it was me adjusting to life back in Australia however this issue never changed.
I also believe the drug has caused me serious stomach, intestine bowl issues.

I have had constant burning in my throat and stomach and bowl issues since the trial.

I have had a number of medial procedures to examine this issue however my doctors can not find any medical problem with me.

These issues continues to haunt me.

My wife always thought that since I have returned from East Timor I’m not the same person as I have displayed signs of verbal and violent behaviour around my family.
Again she though this was a readjusting issue however I have never returned to the man she married prior to the drug trial.

I have never physically harmed my family and can not explain why I do these things.

Another unexplained medical issue I now suffer from is a poor immunity system.

Since the trial I have suffered from the flu or a cold 6-8 times per year.

Prior to the trial I was lucky to get a cold/flu once per year.
As a result I have been to see a haematologist Dr Jane Estell in Sydney who has diagnosed me with unexplained low neutrophils within my blood.

She was unable to determine the reason for my overall blood levels at the time of assessment and she was not informed I was part of this trial .

She initially informed me that my overall blood levels were consistent with a person whom was suffering from Leukemia.

She conducted a very invasive test of removing bone marrow with testing of it proving to be negative.
It has only been years later from my own research, I’m of the belief this is trial has cased a change to my blood properties.

Since leaving the ADF I have been forced to keep these injuries confidential from past and current employers to keep in the work force.

The above injuries have also caused me to take time off work to deal with these ongoing medical conditions.

I have been sent copies of my trial paperwork.


Besides a small paragraph of side effects, no where does it state the true and full list of possible side effects of this drug which can now be found with a simple google search.

It is clear from my research, if I had the full facts of this drug like I do now, I would never had consented to the trial.

Personally I had a deep love for the ADF, Army and my unit, however I feel the ADF deceived me and others of 3RAR prior to returning to Australia.
I feel they prayed on our situation and took advantage of our excitement/happiness prior to seeing our loved ones after our six month deployment as Infantry soldiers.

The Army as an unwritten saying of ‘one in all in’ and that’s how this trial was treated by our unit.
I hope that the inquiry will recommend a Royal Commission into this issue, medical treatment for all involved in the trial and compensation for those whom have been injured and effected or can no longer work due to the personal and physical effects of this trial.

There are so many diggers out there whom are quietly suffering with many issues caused by these drugs.
We all can not claim any assistance through DVA to gain medical care as they Use of the Quinoline anti-malarial drugs Mefloquine and Tafenoquine in the Australian Defence ForceSubmission 107 refuse to link our illnesses to the drug trial.

The impact on my life has been unaccountable compared to what a normal lifestyle should be.

We all thought we were doing the correct thing for the ADF which in hindsight was a grave mistake.

Please take care of our silent sick soldiers.


Yours sincerely, Use of the Quinoline anti-malarial drugs Mefloquine and Tafenoquine in the Australian Defence ForceSubmission 107