Australian Defence Force personnel will be given an anti-malarial drug - in an “entirely voluntary” trial - to test its effectiveness in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The ADF has confirmed the trial, saying the safety of personnel would be “our highest priority”.

Watch the video above

A former soldier who participated in previous ADF-run testing - and who claims he’s had long-term side effects - says he’s disgusted by the move.

Personnel will be given chloroquine on a voluntary basis as part of a clinical trial, the ADF has confirmed in a statement to 7NEWS.com.au.

The common drug, which has been cheap and effective in preventing malaria, has been shown to prevent coronavirus in in-vitro (test tube) studies.

However, no studies have yet proven its effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 in humans.

‘Save lives’

The ADF says the trials are in support of government efforts in “slowing the spread of coronavirus to save lives and livelihoods”.

“As part of Defence’s contribution to the whole-of-government COVID-19 response, it has initiated a voluntary clinical trial of chloroquine as a preventative measure against COVID-19,” the ADF statement said.

“This trial is not an anti-malarial trial. The trial is testing a well-known drug for a new purpose as a preventative measure against COVID-19.

File image of a group of Australian Defence Force soliders. Credit: AAP

“This trial, involving civilian health care workers and ADF frontline healthcare workers, is examining whether this drug can prevent COVID-19.

“It is being tested as a preventative measure, not as a treatment.

“The safety of all those involved in the trial, including our ADF personnel, is our highest priority.”

‘Entirely voluntary’

It said participation in the trial is “entirely voluntary” and requires “deliberate action by potential volunteers”.

Participants will be required to read information online, watch a video explaining the trial and make an appointment to attend in person for evaluation.

“They are then carefully screened against a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria,” the ADF said.

File image of Australian Defence Force personnel. Credit: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images

“During the trial, volunteers will fill out daily questionnaires detailing the current state of their health and wellbeing, which will be closely monitored.

“Volunteers can remove themselves from the trial at any time for any reason with no consequences.

“Well conducted clinical trials are needed in the global fight against COVID-19.”

‘Guinea pigs’

Townsville-based federal MP Phillip Thompson says the personnel are being used as “guinea pigs”.

Wayne Karakyriacos, a Queensland veteran of East Timor in the early 2000s, has slammed the trial.

He said his involvement in a seven-month trial for the anti-malarial drug tafenoquine left him with long-term impacts.

“I personally didn’t have any adverse effects straight away,” he told 7NEWS.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

“Later into the drug trial, I started suffering bad reflux issues.

“I started having horrific nightmares. Paranoia started kicking in.

Former Australian solider and East Timor veteran Wayne Karakyriacos. File image. Credit: 7NEWS

“It wasn’t until I got home that the very serious side effects kicked in - anxiety, depression.

“I also had aggressive and violent behaviour.

“I’m now getting help to try and deal with that.”

No question

He said despite his trial being “voluntary”, he was told if he didn’t agree, he wouldn’t be deployed.

He questioned how well the COVID test would be handled.

“We didn’t question the higher ranks. We took their word that everything was going to be fine,” he said.

In the video below: Is there already a cure for COVID-19?

“Defence have a tendency to use large dosages on veterans.

“They don’t follow up on long-term side effects.

“Twenty years on, Defence has not been in contact with me regarding any side effects, or any of the other fellow veterans.”