In a significant move to curb overcharging for blood units, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed hospitals and blood banks across the country to limit charges to processing fees alone. The decision, communicated to all states and Union Territory drug controllers cum licensing authorities, comes in response to concerns about the exploitation of patients seeking blood transfusions.


The DCGI, referencing the 62nd meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee held on September 26, 2023, highlighted the unanimous recommendation to address the issue of overcharging for blood, news agency PTI reported. The committee emphatically asserted that blood is not meant for sale but for supply, and consequently, only processing costs should be levied by blood centres.


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In an official communication on December 26, the DCGI stated, "It was recommended with respect to agenda No. 18 of ATR point 3, for overcharging of blood, it was opined that blood is not for sale, it is only for supply and only processing cost may be charged by the blood centre", as reported by PTI in its report.


Under the revised guidelines, blood centres are now authorised to charge only processing fees for blood or blood components. These fees have been stipulated to range between Rs 250 to Rs 1,550 for blood or blood components. The DCGI has urged states and Union Territory drug controllers to ensure strict adherence to these guidelines by all blood centres within their jurisdiction, the report stated.


According to official sources cited by PTI, in the absence of blood donations, private hospitals were charging exorbitant amounts ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 per unit of blood. Additionally, in cases of blood shortages or rare blood groups, the charges were reported to escalate even further. This move is expected to bring relief to patients facing high costs for essential blood transfusions. 


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