Cancel licences of erring chemists: FDA

NASHIK: The state commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mahesh Zagade, told chemists to follow all norms such as the presence of pharmacists in medical shops, sale of drugs on prescription and maintenance of a register of doctors and patients. He warned erring chemists that their licenses would be cancelled.
Zagade was in Nashik on Thursday and addressed a meeting of chemists across the city.
Stating that a drug is a prohibited commodity and nobody, except under license, can manufacture or sell them as it is concerns the life of patients, Zagde said, "There is not a single drug that does not have side effects. There could be serious effects if wrong drugs are taken. Only those who value human life should be in the business."
"Around 85% of the chemists obey norms. But they tend to go on a strike when they are told to follow norms. I don't understand why? If they go on a strike to support those 15% of them who do not obey the norms, then there is something wrong." Zagade said.
The FDA chief has decided to have a dialogue with the chemists across the state with an aim to create awareness among them concerning the norms. His visit to Nashik was a part of this. Such workshops are to be conducted by the FDA state chief in all districts across the state.