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FDA issues notices to 72 blood banks across state for overcharging patients

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Taking serious cognisance of the complaint that blood banks are overcharging patients for blood, the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has issued show cause notices to 72 of them across the state. From these, 18 are in Mumbai. Once the banks send their replies to the notices, FDA will consult state health services and decide what action to take against them.

How and when did the issue come to light?
A rise in the number of dengue cases in city led to increase in demand for blood and platelets. Gradually, complaints started coming in from patients and their families about blood banks charging them more than the decided rate.
Based on newspaper reports and complaints from people, FDA officials visited all the 310 banks in Maharashtra, and found 72 of them violating rules.

So, what is the correct rate?
Recently, the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), a part of state health services department, had declared the rate for blood, as directed by the union health ministry — Rs1,450 per unit (bottle) and Rs400 for random donor platelets and Rs11,000 for single donor platelets.

What is FDA saying?
"We have informed the state health services department about our initiative. Once the blood banks file replies to our show cause notices, we will initiate action against them," said Dr Puroshottam Bhapkar, FDA commissioner.

What punishment awaits the rule-breakers?
SBTC holds the right to recommend to FDA cancellation of licence of the errant blood banks.

Ownerspeak
Owner of a private blood bank said, "Despite government keeping the per-unit rate Rs1,450, we charge only Rs1,200 while maintaining all standards. I don't know why other blood banks charge more. I heard that there are some that charge Rs2,000-3,000 for per unit of blood."

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