Director of municipal administration in Maharashtra, Purushottam Bhapkar will replace Mahesh Zagade as the new Commissioner of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bhapkar is expected to assume charge as FDA Commissioner in the afternoon today.

According to sources, Zagade has not been assigned any posting so far.

Ever since he took over the charge as FDA Maharashtra Commissioner more than three years back, Zagade spearheaded a massive crackdown on errant chemists operating without pharmacists and dispensing medicines without proper prescriptions across the state. Taking action against chemists for  overcharging drugs like paracetamol brands in contravention to Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 and NPPA policy was also lauded by the government and helped the government to recover around rupees one crore. He started a drive against doctors illegally stocking antibiotics in bulk and played a major role in detecting and taking strict action on internet pharmacy rackets since the start of the year.

Under his leadership, state FDA seized and prohibited illegal trade of addictive prescription drugs like anti-depressants and sex boosters worth crore of rupees. The drugs were being illegally exported to Japan, Western Europe and other countries, without prescriptions and valid licence.

His work on the ban of tobacco-related products was recognized by World Health Organization (WHO) for which he was given a global award.