Vanessa Brunt was found close to her home

The parents of Vanessa Brunt now want pharmacists in the UK to prescribe an alternative drug to Lariam for people visiting tropical countries.

Swansea coroner Richard Morgan was told the 22-year-old took just two tablets of the drug before becoming ill while travelling with friends in Asia in 1999.

She returned home, but Miss Brunt, who had 10 GCSEs and three A grade A-levels, became tearful and complained of "strange sensations."

Lariam is the full cause of Vanessa's illness and it is that illness that Vanessa died from Michael Brunt

She also had a "haunted expression in her eyes."

Her parents, who live in Sketty, became worried about her health.

She started her Cambridge course that autumn, but was not well enough to return for a second term.

School search

However, her condition improved during the next 18 months, before she suffered a severe relapse in June 2001.

She put on a great deal of weight and slept for up to 14 hours a day, but, after a change in her medication, regained her appetite for life.

Then, one day in August 2002, she went for a walk, but her parents became concerned when she failed to come home and alerted police.

I do accept the evidence that Vanessa suffered what was in effect a personality change Coroner Richard Morgan

Many of her friends from Olchfa School joined officers and tracker dogs in the search for her.

Miss Brunt was found unconscious in woodland close to her home on 23 August but died at Morriston Hospital later that night.

She had taken an overdose of prescribed drugs and left a suicide note.

Miss Brunt's father Michael urged Mr Morgan to record a verdict of misadventure, outlining his concerns about the side-effects of Lariam.

Company statement

"Lariam is the full cause of Vanessa's illness and it is that illness that Vanessa died from," he told the court.

But Mr Morgan said he was legally bound to record a verdict of suicide.

"I do accept the evidence that Vanessa suffered what was in effect a personality change, but my understanding of the legal position is a suicide verdict is not related to the deceased person's state of mind," he explained.

The drugs company that makes Lariam, Roche, has issued a statement.

"We were saddened to hear of the tragic death of Vanessa Brunt, and would like to extend our sympathy to her family and parents," said the company.

"Lariam remains one of the drugs of choice for the prevention and treatment of malaria by leading public health authorities, including the World Health Organisation."