FDA makes special arrangements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra has made special arrangements for procuring medicines during the three-day state-wide strike from October 16 to 18 called by the Maharashtra Association of Chemists and Druggists (MACD).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra has made special arrangements for procuring medicines during the three-day state-wide strike from October 16 to 18 called by the Maharashtra Association of Chemists and Druggists (MACD).

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The chemists' association in the state has called the strike to protest against alleged harassment on the part of FDA inspectors over inspections of records. The chemists' association has said emergency medicine counters will be kept open so that patients don't face any problems.

In the past four months, the FDA has been cracking down on chemist shops and checking their records, particularly those pertaining to medical abortion pills. The FDA has filed 23 first information reports (FIR) in the state over non-maintenance of records, of which six were filed in Mumbai.

More than 50,000 chemists all over the sate will shut shop during the three days. "We had to take the step after repeated assurances from the health minister and the FDA failed to put a stop to the illegitimate harassment.