Pune: The Pune District Chemist Association recently elected its new leadership for the next three years. The appointment was announced in the presence of eminent personalities from the industry, including Jagannath Shinde, the President of the All India Chemists Association, and Anil Navandar, Secretary of the Maharashtra State Chemists & Druggists Association (MSCDA), MSCDA’s Publicity Head Ajit Parakh among others. The event witnessed the participation of around three thousand chemists from Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and the district.
The newly elected office-bearers of Pune District Chemist Association are Sandeep Parakh as President, Anil Belkar as Secretary, Rohit Karpe as Treasurer, and Rohit Joshi as Organizing Secretary. With their election, the association aims to chart a course for the future and address the challenges faced by the chemist profession.
Jagannath Shinde, speaking as the Chief Guest at the Annual General Body Meeting, stressed the importance of unity and collaboration in the chemist profession. He emphasized that individual retailers or professionals cannot sustain themselves in the ever-evolving market, and to ensure their survival, they must come together under a common organization.
“A single person, a single professional cannot survive for long. If they do not come together and continue like this, even 40-50% of retailers will not survive in the future. So keep unity and come together with faith in the organization,” asserted Jagannath Shinde, the President of the All India Chemists Association.
Shinde also expressed his satisfaction with the association’s success in almost shutting down online pharmacies, a significant concern for traditional chemist stores. He further revealed the association’s resolve to tackle issues like deep discounts that have been impacting the business.
The new leadership, led by President Sandeep Parakh, thanked the members for their trust and assured them of their commitment to the welfare and growth of the chemist profession. Parakh, who brings 20 years of experience in the field, vowed to continue working diligently for the betterment of the profession.
Anil Belkar, the newly appointed Secretary of Chemists Association District Pune, presented the annual report for the years 2018-23. He highlighted the association’s notable achievements during the challenging period of the pandemic, where effective work was carried out in Pune district to serve the community.
The event also provided a platform to address future challenges and opportunities in the chemist business. Vijay Patil and Anil Navandar, foreseeing the changing landscape of the profession, discussed issues such as online pharmacies and the need to address deep discounts. The gathering actively participated in brainstorming solutions to overcome these difficulties.
In addition to the professional agenda, the ceremony also honored meritorious students and sportspersons, encouraging excellence in both academics and sports within the chemist community.
As the newly elected leadership takes charge, the Pune District Chemist Association aims to continue its efforts to safeguard the interests of its members, address pertinent challenges, and create a sustainable future for the chemist profession in the region.
