The Bombay High Court today advised the chemists and druggists against going on a strike to protest non-fulfilment of demands, and asked the state government and the Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association to hold a dialogue to resolve the issues.
The bench headed by Chief justice Mohit Shah was hearing a PIL filed by city-based lawyer Datta Mane.
The members of the Association are protesting the action initiated against errant chemists by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for not complying with rules prescribed in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The FDA had booked 35 chemists in Maharashtra for errant practises like not maintaining records while dispensing abortion drugs. The regulator had also issued 2,100 show cause notices to chemists across the state.
Advocate General Darius Khambata today informed the court that a committee had been formed under the chairmanship of Medical Education secretary to resolve the issues. Three office-bearers of the Association were a part of this committee, Khambata pointed out, adding that committee met regularly.
The PIL was filed after about 6,000 chemists in the city and 75,000 chemists across the state called for a three-day strike earlier this year to protest against the action initiated by FDA. However, they did not go on strike.
