— Albania ranks first in Europe for the export of medicinal plants. The number of preparations that can be made by combining them is very large. “It is essential that we strive to process medicinal plants domestically,” declares the Minister of Health, comrade Ahmet Kamberi. The way this great national wealth has been treated up to now is worrying. — On June 9, a scientific session was held in one of the halls of the Faculty of Medicine, organized by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Institute of Folk Medicine and Medicinal Plants Studies, the Faculty of Medicine, the Military Medical Research Institute, the drug-control laboratory, proformë, etc. This session was of scientific and practical value, because it dealt extensively with the use of medicinal plants in our medicine and with increasing exports. It was of interest to us because in our everyday work we have often encountered completely opposing opinions about the value of our medicinal plants, especially when the possibility of producing medicines domestically from these plants is discussed. The session was attended by the most distinguished figures in the pharmacy sector, botanists, doctors, ecologists, and representatives from our scientific institutions, the districts, the Ministry of Health and the apparatus of the Council of Ministers. Around 40 scientific papers were presented. Taking as our starting point the issues raised in the papers presented, we think it worthwhile to say something more specifically about what was discussed at this scientific session. Processing medicinal plants, using them domestically as medicines and essences in the food industry, etc. We must not forget that we are among the leading countries in the world in terms of the number of medicinal plants known to date. Moreover, although we export only a few varieties, we nevertheless rank first in Europe for the export of medicinal plants. Every year we export approximately 10,000 tons and earn around 20 million dollars. These were some of the figures presented in their discussions by Estref Haxhialushi, a botanist at IKMU, and Gazmend Skënderi, an employee of Agrocksport. Primitivism or modern medicine As soon as the possibility of using medicinal plants in medicine is mentioned, quite a few doctors immediately react sharply, including some prominent figures in our medicine. Indeed, they put before you the dilemma: primitivism or modern medicine. This dilemma has a negative effect on those who lack the necessary knowledge. Nevertheless, the contemporary development of medicine today forcefully demonstrates that we must remind people that— use medicinal plants. For this purpose, a special section has also been operating at WHO for years. In the modern development of the pharmaceutical industry, the discussants emphasized, the medicinal-plant processing industry has also grown. Various countries, such as the FRG, France, Italy, Turkey, etc., although they have a developed pharmaceutical industry, also have a highly developed phytopharmaceutical sector, which accounts for around 25 percent of pharmaceutical products. In the USA, according to statistics, medicines based on medicinal plants are prescribed in one third of prescriptions. Contemporary scientific thinking attaches great importance to increasing the number of medicines based on medicinal plants. Today, a great many papers and publications on these plants appear in the world’s most authoritative scientific journals. In our country, however, the number of studies carried out in this field is very modest and negligible in comparison with the scientific resources available. The papers presented at the session scientifically demonstrated the very good effects of plant-based medicines. Indeed, now that the problem of the harmful effects on the human organism of synthetically produced preparations is increasingly concerning medicine around the world, the use of medicines of natural origin in medical therapy has become necessary. This is a scientific, medical, economic and ecological position. But for this to happen, the ideas we hold about this issue must change radically, especially among our doctors, who confuse treatment with plants with— At we think it worthwhile to say something more specific about what was discussed at this scientific session. Meaningful statistics According to the final studies by botanical specialists, 3,200 different plant species grow in our country. Of these, 865 are medicinal plants. This is a natural wealth rarely found in other countries with areas several times larger than ours. It is a renewable resource that is replenished every year and whose value may be compared to a «gold mine». Yet while extracting minerals from a mine requires great effort, making use of medicinal plants requires only care and appreciation. They grow everywhere, naturally, without requiring investment. If accurate calculations are made using the data we have on the export of plants

In town and in the countryside Trading enterprises No. 1 and No. 2 in the Lushnjë district, whose activities extend into the countryside, have devoted themselves to carrying out all kinds of services on time and with quality, so that their absence is not felt. Particularly in this hot-weather period, work has been intensified to meet the needs of rural workers as closely as possible. In addition to the 20 social-food outlets whose work includes supplying the people with as many refreshing drinks as possible, 15 mobile outlets have also opened, providing service for extended hours. This year, the supply of the units has been organized on the basis of buyers’ requests, without taking into account contracts and plans that had been drawn up. The food enterprise has increased its pace in order to supply the trading enterprises with as many products as possible. The mobile outlets in the areas of Çermë, Bishqethm, Gorre, Fier i Ri, Divjakë, etc., are particularly active. The mobile service is earning a good reputation. In the most populated places—in neighborhoods, between villages and near the plots where workers are harvesting wheat—individual employees sell from carts and motorized carts. The trading employee in Gorre, Vangjel Bamja, says that he sells refreshing drinks for about eight hours a day, helping the cooperative members. Todi Prifti and others do the same in Divjakë. The trading enterprises themselves cannot provide a speedy service without the help of the managers of the agricultural economies, Vangjel Como, head of the trade sector, tells us. Interest is evident in securing transport vehicles and coordinating work to ensure that operations are carried out quickly. says Vangjel Como, head of the trade sector. to ensure that operations are carried out quickly. Trade employees also raise some problems in several areas, such as Kolonjë, Divjakë and Fier-Shegan. There used to be workshops there for producing it, but some of them are not operating. The reason? They cannot secure water for cooking! If these were operational, supplies would be more plentiful and closer to consumers. SOKRAT NDREÇKA

— Report from Përmet — The People’s Council of the city of Përmet reviewed the measures taken for summer trade. According to the information presented, it seems that the measures are complete and nothing is lacking, because it is stated that the entire refrigeration network has been put on standby, the market is being supplied normally with refreshing drinks, aranka, shata, hurpra, Gline water, etc. Equipment for making ice cream has been put on standby, and sales have begun. Three mobile outlets have been opened, etc. The problems raised by the councillors and the inspection of the preparations for summer trade show that things are not entirely as they are presented. The ice-cream workshop is still under construction. It is said that it will be completed by June 20, while the work is proceeding at a pace that gives little reason for confidence. Although sales of refreshing drinks have just begun, there is a shortage of ice for cooling, and there are cases where bottles are taken from the open outlets and assigned other duties, going around to the cafés. These things show that the managers and specialists of the central branch do not feel their responsibility as they should. Looking more broadly, at district level, there are other problems too. In Këlcyre, the ice-cream-making machine was removed last year, and although a year has passed, no measures have been taken to reinstall it. It is now being considered that ice cream should be sent from Përmet, thereby also resolving the ice shortage in Këlcyre, which has persisted until now and has prompted complaints from consumers. This situation has been known for a long time; it does not justify the delays so far and calls for swift measures in accordance with the tasks set by the government bodies, whose implementation should also be followed up by the trade and communal-services section and the people’s councils of the towns of Përmet and Këlcyre. The programs they have drawn up are worthless if consumers’ needs are not met on time. At the same time, we emphasize that there should be no hesitation about using the forms of the new economic mechanism in the service of the buyer, as an incentive for summer trade as well. PERPARIM MUSTAFAJ

— VLORA — The summer season, so to speak, doubles the size of Vlora. It is an understatement to say that demand on the part of trade also doubles. That is natural. Is trade taking this situation into account, or is it proceeding with the thought, “we’ll do as we have done every summer”? Secondly, is it moving beyond that narrow concept which reduces summer trade to beer and refreshments? It is necessary to think and act earlier for the summer season. This also starts with the ministry. The ministry’s organization of a seminar for this purpose at the end of May was rushed, as trade officials told us. This delay is also reflected in the preparation of some establishments. This is not difficult to observe. At the beautiful “Pavarësia” beach, the appearance and equipment of the establishment leave much to be desired. The same can be seen at the refreshing-drinks outlet on the new beach. Meanwhile, Ligor Thanati, manager of the social-food establishments at this beach, says that this season, compared with the previous one, supplies have improved noticeably. Nevertheless, he adds, mobile trade is necessary. At the directorate they say that measures have been taken to set up special units and other mobile outlets wherever people gather, on main roads, etc. Noticeable improvements can be seen at Ujë të Ftohtë. At one of the Riviera outlets, Arsen Taho explains that the establishment’s capacity has been increased by 90 seats, supplies have improved, and attention is also being paid to the quality of service. NTUS will begin next month (Continued on page 2)

In the material presented by Perikli Rizo, an employee at the profa- ...ke, some of them also distinguished figures in our medicine, react harshly. Indeed, they confront us with the dilemma, stated emphatically: primitivism or modern medicine. This dilemma has a harmful pay great attention to medicinal plants. At the session, the well-known research worker, doc. Zef Sima, said that after the 1970s medicinal plants were reassessed throughout the world. For example, in the FRG alone, the production of medicines made from medicinal plants doubled over a ten-year period. The candidate of medical sciences and director of the Institute for Studies of Folk Medicine and Medicinal Plants, Gëzim Boçari, stressed that over the past decade opposition to the use of synthetically produced medicines has been growing throughout the world, and that people are calling for medicinal plants and natural products to be used wherever possible. The World Health Organization is interested in as many countries as possible undertaking studies, as many countries as possible undertaking studies, as many countries as possible undertaking studies, as many countries as possible undertaking studies. (Continued on page 3)

- PUKE - Rexhep Toska, director of the commercial purchasing and sales enterprise in Pukë, is pressing for preparations for the summer trade to be speeded up. With the enterprise’s employees, he raises the issue that we should not only meet people’s needs but, as he puts it, «go out and call on the buyers, providing nimble, prompt and courteous service wherever people are—not only in the town of Pukë, but elsewhere too.» What has actually been done? The production of ice, ice cream and soft drinks, such as orangeade, syrups, etc., makes it possible to supply the shops and sales outlets regularly. In the town of Pukë, mobile sales points have been opened in addition to the existing ones, at the far ends of the town. Is that all? No, says the director. Efforts have also been made to provide cooling equipment and sell soft drinks in the various areas of the district. In Gomsiqe, refrigeration is operating and (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, Sigfrid Lengl, Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Germany, arrived in our country. Yesterday, talks also began in Tirana between the government delegation of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, headed by Farudin Hoxha, Minister attached to the Presidium of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, and the government delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany, headed by Economic Cooperation, concerning technical and financial cooperation between the two countries for 1990. (ATSH)

Yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhamet Kapllani, returned to the homeland after making a short working visit to France and the Federal Republic of Germany. At Rinas Airport he was received by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also present were the Ambassador of the French Republic in Tirana, Mishel Bulmer, and the chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana, Verner Daum. (ATSH)

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, today received Fredi Kristians, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Venezuela to the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, who presented his credentials. The ceremony for the presentation of credentials was attended by Foreign Minister Reis Malile, Secretary of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Shatno Tоzaj, director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andon Bërxholi, and others. (ATSH)

Amateur groups have further enlivened the cultural and artistic life of the Durrës district. For a week, art lovers followed the performances by amateur groups with interest in the hall of the «Rinia» Palace of Culture. The amateur group of the shipyard was awarded first prize for the play «The Five-Storey Family» by Sulejman Pitarka, staged by director Enver Plaku. (According to ATSH)

Meaningful statistics

At the Durrës mechanical workshop, ATSH photojournalist Lekë Hoti photographed the outstanding workers Thoma Vasilini, Bashkim Bjedli and Xhemal Shela, who are working on the implementation of a project for the boilers of the milk-processing plants.

• Wider use of medicinal plants—a contemporary trend in pharmaceuticals. (pp. 1–3). • The deputy’s voice: is it valued, is it heard? (p. 2).