The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed that out of 3,460 inspections conducted on pharmacies in the state, as many as 277 pharmacies were functioning without pharmacists.

The official explained that the stop sale instructions have been issued to 246 pharmacies. All field officials have been directed to ensure that further strict action like cancelation of licenses shall be ensured in such cases.

The number of complaints is being received by Maharashtra FDA about absence of pharmacist in pharmacies, which is against the established rules.

In major crackdown on such pharmacies by the FDA from September 13, 2021 to September 20, 2021, the FDA officials carried out surprise inspections on such pharmacies, said the statement issued by the FDA.

In this state-wide campaign, a total of 3,460 pharmacies were inspected. It is found that out of 3,460 pharmacies 277 pharmacies were functioning without pharmacists.

FDA officials have requested all pharmacies to ensure full compliance about the rules and regulations of licenses, failing which severe action shall fallow. Pharmacies were also directed to keep their shop closed if the pharmacist is unavailable due to any reason.

The divisions of Mumbai, Pune, Kokan, Nasik, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Amravati have been inspected. Out of these seven divisions, 55 pharmacies from Mumbai division have been running without pharmacists and all these 55 pharmacies have been issued orders to stop their sale. From Kokan division, 71 pharmacies have been found to be running without pharmacists and have been ordered to stop sale.

In Pune division, pharmacists were absent in 34 pharmacies and out of these, 31 pharmacies received stop sale order. In, Nasik division, 31 pharmacies have been found running without pharmacists and all these 31 received stop sale order, and from Aurangabad division, pharmacists were absent in 20 pharmacies and stop sale order was issued to 15 of them.