Under-fire UAE Deputy Health Minister responds in writing to FNC members

Some council members, however, expressed their frustration that the minister, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, had not appeared in person.

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ABU DHABI // FNC members yesterday received written responses from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development to questions posed.

Abdul Rahman Al Owais, who also serves as Deputy Health Minister, to responded Ahmed Al Shamsi, from Ajman, regarding whether a federal authority should be formed to monitor medicines.

Mr Al Owais said: "The Health Authority, with its strategic partners and GCC Councils for Ministry of Health, have always ensured the safety and effectiveness of medicines."

He added that pharmaceutical companies were obliged to register with the ministry to do business in the country, and other forms of regulation included laboratory analyses, inspections of medicine storage warehouses and a pharmaceutical vigilance programme that monitors the effect of drugs.

Ali Al Nuaimi, also from Ajman, asked Mr Al Owais what steps were being taken to encourage tourism by Emiratis inside the UAE and abroad.

The minister wrote back that there had been a number of exhibitions held locally and internationally and a recent marketing campaign titled "Seven Emirates, One Destination".

He said the National Council of Tourism and Archaeology had also produced a number of documentaries and a website highlighting tourism activities.

Some council members, however, expressed their frustration that the minister had not appeared in person. Council members complained that they had been waiting for an audience with Mr Owais for the past year, to no avail.

aalhameli@thenational.ae