Asserting that ‘blood is not for sale’, the top drug regulator, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has made it clear to the hospitals and blood banks that they can charge only processing fees for blood. They have been prohibited from charging any other fees.
The move aims to check the practice of overcharging for blood by the hospitals and blood banks. In a communication to all states and UT drugs controllers cum licensing authorities, the DCGI stated that the decision was taken in view of the opinion that "blood is not for sale".
Referring to the 62nd meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee held on September 26, 2023, the DCGI in the letter on December 26 said, "It was recommended with respect of 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."
The revised guidelines stipulate that only processing fees can be charged for blood or blood components which ranges between Rs 250 to 1,550 for blood or blood components.
The DCGI has asked states and UT drug controllers to direct all blood centres under their jurisdiction to adhere to the revised guidelines.
According to official sources, per unit of blood in case of no blood donation is priced between Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 by private hospitals. In cases of blood shortage or rare blood groups, the charges may go up higher.
