No purchase by chemists till FDA relents stance

One week after wholesale chemists business owners stopped purchase of medical supplies to protest against the alleged ‘harassment’ of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials, the standoff between the two parties continues with no resolve in sight.

On Sunday, members of Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association (MSCDA) met in Jalgaon where they decided to continue no purchase until FDA relents its stance.

The chemists’ association members are retaliating against the new drug price control order which has slashed the prices of 348 essential medicines by 30% to 60% of its current price and FDA’s crackdown on chemists operating without full time pharmacists.

While there is no drug shortage in the market as of now, services are likely to be hit in next few days.

Anil Navander, secretary of MSCDA said that rather than surrendering licenses which was decided earlier, chemists have decided to stop conducting business by making no further purchases if the FDA continues its drive. “They cannot force us to do business, there is no such law,” said Navander.

Meanwhile FDA officials said they have ‘appealed’ to chemists to call off the strike but in no way will they relax rules. “At the moment our focus is to ensure that there is no shortage of drugs in the market and hence we are looking at remedial measures,” he said.

He added that they have spoken to various city hospitals and asked them to stock up their pharmacies with double the stock. They have also spoken to carry and forward (C&F) agents to supply medicines directly to doctors and hospitals.

“If any manufacturers refuse to supply medicines directly, they will face criminal action,” said B R Masal, joint commissioner (drugs), FDA Pune.

FDA officials added that if a drug shortage is created by wholesalers, FDA will involve sections of Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supply of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 to take stern action.

However even chemists association say they are prepared for all eventualities. “If FDA fines even one member, all wholesalers have agreed to unite for stern action. We will return all remaining drugs to manufacturers and surrender our licenses,” added Navander.