India, April 13 -- In a major crackdown, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the licenses of 89 chemists and suspended the licenses of 488 others across the Pune division. Most of them were found violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.

This action was taken after inspections were conducted between April 2024 and March 2025. The Pune division includes the Pune, Solapur, Satara, Kolhapur, and Sangli districts. However, most of the violators, more than 70%, are from the Pune district, said the officials.

The 89 errant chemists whose licenses were cancelled include 22 wholesalers, distributors, and 67 retailers. While 488 violators include 56 wholesalers, distributors, and 432 retailers.

The inspection of chemist sh...