| 55,000 chemists in Maharashtra threaten to return drug licences | | | Agencies
MUMBAI, June 12:The state FDA has registered FIRs against 23 chemists in different parts of the state over the last one year, the state chemists association said here. The association had earlier launched agitations on three occasions to oppose the FDA action but withdrawn them responding to the mediation by minister for Food and Drugs and to ensure that the social health is not affected, it said. However, at a meeting in Jalgaon last week, members of the Association decided to set themselves free from this profession, as they are now tired of high-handedness of the administration, it said.
The 55,000 chemists will return their licences to the Government on July 15 and the responsibility for endangering the lives of citizens lies on the Government and the FDA, Maharashtra State Chemists & Druggists Association Secretary Anil Navandar said in a statement here. He said in October, minister for state for Food and Drugs Satej Patil and Commissioner, Food and Drugs, Mahesh Zagade had accepted 10 demands raised by the Association but they were not implemented even as the FDA intensified actions against chemists and FIRs filed against drugs manufacturers and traders, Navandar said.
Couple of chemists died of heart attack because of illegal actions by the FDA, he said and demanded that the government initiate high level enquiry in this regard.
The FDA had taken action against many chemists who did not have qualified pharmacist to dispense medicines, one of the major requirement for a chemist shop. |
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