In a significant development, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued a directive to all state governments and Union Territories, instructing blood banks and hospitals to refrain from selling blood and instead charge only a processing fee. This move, stemming from complaints about overcharging practices, aims to reinforce the ethical principle that blood is meant for supply, not for sale.
The DCGI’s directive, issued on December 26, aligns with the decision of the ‘Drug Advisory Committee’ held on September 26, 2023. The committee acknowledged the prevalent issue of overcharging for blood and emphasized that blood banks should levy only the processing fee for blood.
Under the revised guidelines, blood banks are authorized to charge a processing fee ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 1,550 for blood or blood components. The DCGI, in the letter to state governments and union territories, urged them to ensure that hospitals and blood banks adhere to these guidelines, emphasizing the importance of ethical and affordable blood supply.
Tackling Exploitative Practices in Blood Donation
The government has received numerous complaints regarding private hospitals and blood banks exploiting patients, especially when faced with a shortage of blood donors for replacement blood. Reports indicate that patients, in the absence of donors, are being charged exorbitant fees ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 per blood bag. Individuals with specific medical conditions, such as anemia or rare blood groups, are reportedly subjected to even higher charges.
The recent directive from the DCGI aims to rectify these exploitative practices and establish a fair and transparent system for blood supply. By emphasizing that blood is not for sale, the government aims to ensure that patients receive essential blood transfusions without facing unjust financial burdens.
