More than 75,000 chemist shops in Maharashtra, including the nearly 6,000 shops in Mumbai, will remain closed for three days from October 16 in protest against the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s alleged harassment of the traders for selling pills for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP).

The three-day strike call has been given by the Maharashtra State Chemists Druggists Association (MSCDA). The association said that it was forced to take this step after assurances from the health minister and FDA failed to end the harassment. 'Even when we are not involved in the sale of MTP pills, we are held responsible,' a trade leader said.

The association is also irked by the stringent crackdown by the FDA on chemists who do not comply with the rules prescribed in the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act, 1940, which makes it mandatory for a qualified pharmacist (B Pharm) to be present in the shop at all times while dispensing drugs.

The MSCDA has also turned down the FDA’s directive to maintain detailed records of drugs dispensed for abortion and tuberculosis, saying it is ‘too much paperwork’ for the chemist.

At the same time, the FDA as a precautionary measure has asked the head chemist in-charge and doctors of major private and government hospitals to keep chemist shops open 24X7. They have also instructed over-the-counter sections in hospitals to be kept open. In the meanwhile, to ensure that public health is not affected due to unavailability of the medicines, FDA has provided emergency numbers from where the medicines can be procured if need be.

Meanwhile, hectic efforts are still on to avoid the bandh as the association members are to meet the FDA Minister and FDA Commissioner today.