Egyptians protest in Cairo over lack of subsidised baby formula

Dozens of demonstrators took to the Nile Corniche in Cairo's Shubra on Thursday, blocking off the street in protest at the lack of subsidised baby formula. Dozens of parents gathered in front of the headquarters of the state-owned Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company on the Corniche to demonstrate against the lack of subsidised milk powder, as well increased prices. Karim Karam, the official spokesperson of the pharmaceutical trading company, told Ahram Online that the company was no longer assigned to distribute subsidised baby formula. "According to the decision issued by the minister of health in July, the ministry is going to distribute the subsidised infant milk through its outlets in motherhood clinics across the country using the smart card system," said Karam, adding that the company had sent its entire stock of formula to the 1,100 motherhood clinics around the country. Karam added that it was the error of the ministry to not spread the word in the media about the changes. The price of subsidised formula has increased from EGP 16 to EGP 26 in recent months. Egypt relies heavily on imports, mostly food, but is suffering from an acute US dollar shortage in the light of political insecurity and a lack of foreign tourists