No information on chemists surrendering licences: Food and Drug Administration

MUMBAI: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday claimed it has not been informed about any en masse surrendering of licences by chemists and wholesalers. Around 55,000 drug retailers and wholesalers had announced a decision to this effect.
FDA chief Mahesh Zagade said, "There have been talks of chemists threatening to surrender their licences.But we are yet to be officially intimated about it." He said the associations are resorting to rumour mongering to create panic.
Zagade met the manufacturers on Friday but he did not elaborate on the discussions.
The retail and wholesalers' associations have come together in protest against the FDA crackdown that has led to the suspension and cancellation of the licences of many chemists.
The Pharmacists Wholesalers Association (PWA) said about 55,000 chemists will surrender their licences by July 15. "We have submitted a memorandum to the ministers and the CM," said PWA chief Dilip Mehta.
Zagade said if the chemists want to surrender their licences, the FDA will accept them. "It will mean they are not fit to abide by the law and unable to operate legally," he added.
PWA chief Dilip Mehta said the FDA was trying to paint them as criminals .