Now, FDA can fine chemists for violations

MUMBAI: The legislative assembly on Tuesday passed a bill that empowers the state's own licensing authorities such as food and drugs administration (FDA) to slap a penalty on manufactures, sellers or distributors of drugs, cosmetics, homoeopathic, ayurvedic, siddha or Unani and those involved in operation of blood banks in case of breach of conditions.

The existing rules provide only for cancellation or suspension of licences by the authorities if they believe that any of the licence conditions or rules have been flouted. The drugs and cosmetics Act, 1940, does not empower licencing authorities to impose penalty for minor contraventions of licence conditions. As a result, more than 5,000 cases relating to slapping fines are pending with the appellate authorities and the Bombay high court since five years, affecting businesses and the government machinery.