FDA commissioner urges chemists to withdraw stir

He said 50-60 per cent medical stores in the state are owned by pharmacists and it was essential to follow the stipulated rules as it would avoid the sale of sub-standard drugs. There are so many cases where patients are resistant to high-end antibiotics and hence there was a need to prevent sale of drugs without doctors’ prescription. However,as per their demand,we have appointed a grievance redressal committee which met on December 12 and agreed to look into issues raised by them,said Zagade.

Zagade said the state government has asked FDA officials to take action against chemists who down shutters from Monday.

“According to Section 4 (1) of the MESMA,sale of medicines comes under essential health service,which is an emergency service. The chemists are not allowed to shut their shops or go on strike. If they go on the strike,we will take action against them under MESMA,” he said.

He added,“While we are still hopeful that chemists will withdraw their stir,as a precautionary measure we have announced helpline numbers in every district and have urged district,government and cottage hospitals to update their stock of drugs.”

However,chemists have remained firm on their stand,saying they will court arrest if the government invokes the Maharashtra Essential Services and Maintenance (MESMA) Act,2011.

Anil Navandar,Secretary,Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association,said chemists across the state were fed up of the harassment by FDA inspectors who allegedly misused the law and served stop sale notices.

“Over 1000 licences of chemists have been cancelled for minor mistakes such as pharmacist being absent while dispensing a common drug like combiflam. This is not fair,” he said.

Vijay Changedia,Secretary,Pune District Chemists’ Association said there are as many as 6,500 chemists in the district who are willing to go to jail if their demands are not met.