Only processing cost can be charged on blood henceforth – Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)

Blood is not for sale – DCGI

New Delhi – The apex drug regulator DCGI has banned selling of blood. Due to this, blood can no longer be sold to blood banks or hospitals. Blood can only be supplied. Blood has to be processed and preserved before transfusing into a patient. Therefore, only the processing cost can be charged on the blood bag, said DCGI in the circular. This decision has been taken after it was noticed that while selling blood, many private blood banks are charging exorbitant amount to the patients’ relatives.

Blood Centres can now only charge for the processing cost of blood – #DCGI directive

Blood cannot be sold to earn money!

New Delhi – Due to the Drug Controller General of India’s directive, blood banks and hospitals will not be allowed to sell blood; they can only supply blood.… pic.twitter.com/xj3DvtftTT

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 5, 2024

1.When blood is collected in camps, it has other body components of the donor. They are separated and blood is purified in 4 components – Red blood cells, White blood cells, plasma and platelets. It is then stored at a suitable temperature. All this process cost can be charged while supplying blood. But no additional amount can be charged, clarified the DCGI.

2.According to the regulations circulated by the Union Government in the year 2022, the cost of processing blood taken from a donor should not exceed Rs 1,550. In Government blood banks, this cost has been fixed at Rs 1,100.