six American soldiers suffer permanent brain damage after taking anti-malarial drug while on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Six American soldiers have been diagnosed with permanent brain damage after taking the drug Lariam, the world's most powerful anti-malarial, while on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The American drug watchdog, the Food and Drug Administration, last year warned that Lariam (mefloquine) is linked to suicide, while psychiatric and neurological side effects have been reported to last long after it has been taken.

The Pentagon has announced a new safety study of the drug. It shouldn't have to look too hard. A six-year-old girl died in an English hospital after taking the drug while on holiday in Nigeria. 300 Britons launched a class-action suit after they suffered severe and long-term effects, such as hallucinations, anxiety attacks, seizures and sever mood swings.

British Airways has issued a warning to all staff about taking the drug, while doctors have reported that many patients have refused prescriptions for it.

Since all these people know about the drug's adverse effects, why is the US military still giving it to its soldiers?

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