WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2230/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Effects of the substance ephedrine on public health
10. 2. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 45/161 (98/C 45/210) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2230/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (2 July 1997) Subject: Effects of the substance ephedrine on public health The American Food and Drugs Administration has called for checks on all products containing ephedrine since use of the substance has been shown to be responsible for the deaths of 17 people over recent months in the USA and for serious health problems in a further 800. Checks carried out by the Greek Drugs Organization have detected 31 products in Greece which contain ephedrine in quantities that pose a danger. 1. In what circumstances is it permissible to import and use drugs containing ephedrine? 2. Given that scientists differ on this point, at what level is the use of ephedrine dangerous? 3. How does the Commission intend to tackle the problem? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (98/C 45/211) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2233/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (2 July 1997) Subject: Damage in the area of Hadrianís Aqueduct The municipality of Nea Ionia in the region of Attica, Greece, carried out a makeshift study, which was approved by the Central Archaeological Council on 30 April 1996, before starting work on creating an artificial lake, which will come into contact with the central foundations of Hadrianís Aqueduct, as well as on the construction of an open-air car park, an open-air amphitheatre, etc. The makeshift nature of the study became evident when the work got under way and it was necessary to carry out improvements that had not been planned, such as the removal of back-fill to reveal the monument (when in fact the approved study had envisaged greater backfilling), and alteration of the position and size of the lake, the construction of which entails enormous risks for the monument and at the same time completely changes the original appearance of the natural landscape. Twice in succession, on 14 June 1996 and 4 February 1997, the Directorate for the Restoration of Monuments asked for work in the area to be suspended pending the submission of a fresh, amended study and detailed plans, while at the same time great concern was expressed by scientific bodies about the dangers which the building of the lake involved for the monument. The above study has been amended slightly (but insists on construction of the lake) and is being resubmitted to the Central Archaeological Council for approval. Bearing in mind that there are breaches of the international treaties for the protection of monuments and the world cultural heritage, which provide for a 500 metre protection zone around monuments, what steps will the Commission take to ensure that no works will be carried out in the general area of Hadrianís Aqueduct that will damage the monuments and that, on the contrary, stabilization, anti-flood and restoration work will be carried out immediately on the monuments and the natural landscape of the region? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (4 August 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-1976/97 by Mr Alavanos (1). (1) See page 134