Pune: FDA Revokes Licenses of 89 Chemists, Suspends 488 for Serious Norm Violations
In a sweeping action to ensure the safe and legal sale of medicines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked the licenses of 89 chemists and suspended licenses of another 488 across the Pune division for violating norms under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.
The affected chemists include 22 wholesalers/distributors and 67 retailers whose licenses were cancelled, and 56 wholesalers/distributors and 432 retailers whose licenses were suspended. The crackdown followed a series of inspections – including surprise visits – carried out between April 2024 and March 2025.
FDA Joint Commissioner (Drugs), Pune Division, Girish Hukare, said that these inspections revealed grave violations such as:
- Selling medicines without bills
- Not maintaining mandatory records
- Selling drugs without valid prescriptions
- Absence of registered pharmacists at the premises
“The licenses were cancelled in cases where chemists were not present at the store. This is a serious issue, as dispensing wrong medicines by unqualified persons can lead to major health risks,” said Hukare. “We also found cases of habit-forming drugs, narcotics, and pregnancy termination kits being sold without prescriptions or documentation.”
The Pune division includes Pune, Solapur, Satara, Kolhapur, and Sangli districts. However, over 70% of the violators were from the Pune district alone.
A senior FDA officer added, “Strict action has been taken only after giving chemists two opportunities to explain their side. The intent is not just punitive, but to safeguard public health.”
The move underscores the FDA’s commitment to curbing illegal pharmaceutical practices and ensuring only licensed professionals handle and dispense medications.
