"Blood is not for sale": Govt says only processing charges to be levied for procuring blood at hospitals, blood banks

As top drug regulator Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) clamps down to eliminate all additional fees in order to curb the practice of overcharging, hospitals and blood banks will now only be allowed to charge processing fees for blood.

DCGI announced in a statement to all states and UT drugs controllers and licencing agencies that the decision was made because "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 requested that drug controllers in states and Union Territories direct all blood facilities under their jurisdiction to follow the amended rules.

According to official sources, private hospitals charge between Rs 3,000 and Rs 8,000 per unit of blood in the absence of a blood donation. 

However, charges may be increased in circumstances of blood shortages or unusual blood groups.

(With Agency Inputs)