WUSA – A committee of the National Academies of Sciences heard from veterans Monday urging them to take seriously their charge to investigate the long-term health effects of anti-malarial drugs. The committee was sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs to look into possible long-term neurological and psychiatric effects of the drugs – particularly of mefloquine (brand name Lariam), which has been linked to insomnia, depression, anxiety, severe nightmares and suicidal and homicidal ideation.