The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a major crackdown on blood banks and blood storage centres across the state, taking action against 38 facilities over the past three months for violating regulatory and safety norms. As part of the drive, 34 licences have been suspended and four licences permanently cancelled.
The action follows inspections conducted between April and June to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and related rules governing blood collection, testing, storage, quality control and biomedical waste management. Maharashtra currently has 413 licensed blood banks and 468 licensed blood storage centres.
According to the FDA, inspections revealed violations including breaches of licence conditions, deficiencies in quality management systems, discrepancies in records, failure to adhere to prescribed standards, and other regulatory lapses. Among the facilities penalised, 21 blood banks and 13 blood storage centres had their licences suspended, while two blood banks and two blood storage centres had their licences permanently cancelled.
In Mumbai, the FDA permanently cancelled the licence of Sir J.J. Metropolitan Blood Centre after inspections found serious violations of statutory norms. The licence of Maya Blood Centre was also cancelled following the detection of major irregularities that, according to the regulator, compromised blood safety.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said blood is a life-saving resource that cannot be manufactured artificially, making strict compliance with safety and quality standards essential. He said the department would continue conducting regular and surprise inspections and take stringent legal action against institutions found violating the rules to ensure patients receive safe and quality blood.
Also Read: Uddhav Thackeray Supports Sonam Wangchuk's Agitation, Seeks Education Minister's Resignation