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Al-Ahram Weekly 12 - 18 August 1999 Issue No. 442 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 12 - 18 August 1999 Issue No. 442
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Drug ban
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Books Features Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters
FOR THE FIRST time in 44 years, the Ministry of Health has banned the registration of 361 imported medicines and 170 food supplements and removed 12 already registered pharmaceuticals from the market. Last week's action by Health Minister Ismail Sallam came after a lull of 44 years in which only seven imported medicines were withdrawn from circulation in a market where 3,800 different types of medicines and 2,000 food supplements are available.Sallam explained that approval of medication by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was not enough and that the specific nature of the Egyptian market, in which many people are given medication without proper prescriptions, must be taken into consideration.
Imported pharmaceuticals are subject to an intensive three-stage approval system by 30 committees -- 22 medical and eight technical -- comprising 3,000 specialised doctors.
Street business
IN AN UNUSUAL twist of events, a government agency found itself forcefully evicted from its offices in compliance with a court order in the landlord's favour. In Alexandria, employees of the Supply Authority were expelled from their offices on 7 August and temporarily condemned to working on the roadside. Citizens dealing with the authority edged their way through the files piled up on the street where employees were busy performing their usual duties.Khaled El-Bassiouni, assistant to the minister of supply, assured the public that the authority would continue to function despite the inconvenience. He made his statements from his temporary office -- his car, which was parked across the street from the sequestrated premises.
What a waste!
EVERY DAY, 21 per cent of the fresh water provided to Greater Cairo goes to waste, according to recently released government figures.To deal with the phenomenon, the Cairo Governorate initiated a water management programme last month in cooperation with UNICEF, with the aim of increasing the awareness of women and children. The government says that the figures released this week show an improvement, indicating the success of the programme.
Hassanein El-Shahawi, head of the General Water Authority for Greater Cairo, disclosed that the programme included fixing taps and bathrooms in 20 government offices. The next phase will include 166 awareness seminars for children.
In his own back yard
THIRD DEGREE burns were inflicted on a young boy, the assistant of a microbus driver shuttling on a Cairo route. The driver had discovered that LE450 was missing from his wallet and his first inclination was to suspect the boy.When the young assistant refused to admit to the crime, the driver tied him up, threw petrol all over him and set him alight. The boy was saved, however, and taken to hospital in a serious condition.
A police investigation revealed that the real thief was the driver's wife. The couple are currently under arrest.
Deadly soccer
A DISPUTE over a soccer goal resulted in the death of a young lawyer last week.The football match, played between amateurs at the Gezira Youth Centre in Zamalek, turned deadly when a player expressed his disapproval of the referee's decision to allow a goal.
The amateur referee, a toy-store owner, did not take kindly to the remarks; a fist fight erupted and the referee pulled out a knife and stabbed the player to death.
