WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2230/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Effects of the substance ephedrine on public health
Date: 1997-07-02
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: consumer protection, dangerous substance, medicinal product, pharmaceutical legislation, pharmaceutical product, 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 Hadrian(cid:146)s 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 Hadrian(cid:146)s 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  Hadrian(cid:146)s  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.