State chemists, druggists to protest against FDA today

Chemists and druggists across Maharashtra have planned a protest against the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on July 16 for failing to act against online pharmacies. The members of the Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggist Association (MSCDA) said that they are protesting against unregulated online sites selling prescription drugs allegedly without scrutiny of prescription notes from doctors.

The officials rom Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) said that the process of suggestions for draft rules, to regulate online retail sites for medicines, is currently going on. However, they said, they are taking periodic action against sites involved in unlicensed sale of medicines.

Prasad Danave, president of the Retail and Dispensing Chemist Association (TRDCA) said that chemists across the state are going to participate in a protest march from Kalanagar signal in Bandra (East) to FDA headquarters in BKC. Around 1,500 pharmacy retailers are expected to participate. “We are going to submit our appeal to FDA commissioner, Pallavi Darade, to take immediate action against the illegal online pharmacies dispensing prescription drugs without scrutinising the prescription,” said Danave.

Medicines listed under certain schedules of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can only be sold if there is a prescription from an authorised medical practitioner.