The city of Pune is facing a shortage of some basic life-saving drugs after wholesale chemists stopped purchasing medical supplies to protest the harassment by the officials of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

The wholesale chemists in teh city have not been purchasing supplies from the previous ten days in the city. The chemists association has said that the whole sellers will continue to supply retailers till they have enough stock. Retilaers in some part s of the city said that their stock will only be enough for the next few days as customers are buying drugs in bulk due to concerns that they might be unavailable later.

the drugs in storage include those for anti-diabetic, anti-clotting and cholesterol drugs besides some drugs for tuberculosis. Some retailers pointed out that the while Indian variants of drugs were available many drugs from multinational companies have very little stock left.

FDA officials said that there is not shortage of drugs in the city and also said that 24-hour chemists and hospital pharmacies have enough stock to address any problems.

BR Masal, joint commissioner (drugs), FDA Pune said,"We are keeping close tabs on the market and are speaking daily with wholesalers. They have not been reported any shortage so far. If there is any problem in procuring drugs, retail chemists should contact us."