High-level meeting to avert chemists' strike

Mumbai: Close to about 50,000 chemists in Maharashtra are expected to go on a two-day strike this week, in protest against a guideline introduced last month by the State's Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In fact, a meeting on the issue has been scheduled on Monday night between the Chief Minister, the FDA Commissioner and the two Ministers handling the Ministry concerned, said Mr Anil Navandar of The Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association.

The proposed strike is on January 11 and 12, if tonight's high-level meeting does not resolve the issue.

Mr Navandar said that the FDA guideline was harsh and even minor lapses were being threatened with cancellation of licenses. He added that the trade was already regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.

The FDA Commissioner, Mr Ramesh Kumar, told Business Line that he was open to discussing the issue. But in the event that the chemists went ahead with the strike, he said that there would not be a shortage of medicines, as essential services would be working.