I really appreciate that both of you, Professor Quinn and Dr. Sellers, are here today. Your testimony has already been very beneficial to us.
Dr. Quinn, I want to express my deep concern and sympathy for what you've been through personally. You have a unique environment, in that you have suffered one of the greatest losses you could in relation to this drug, and you also have such expertise in this field. Thank you so much for being willing to be here with us today.
One of the answers we get here related to veterans seeking care for the effects of mefloquine toxicity, which is not recognized here in Canada as a medical condition, is that if they have a diagnosis consistent with the warnings listed for the drug, then they only need to bring that diagnosis to VAC, and VAC will treat the veteran for the condition but will not recognize that the condition is due to mefloquine. If veterans are reporting nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, or neuropsychiatric events such as headaches, lack of sleep, or sleep disorders, they could be treated for these conditions but with no recognition that they might be due to taking mefloquine.
I would really like to know your perspective on whether that is appropriate or whether it should be considered as a major factor in their diagnosis.