Archive · 1 Dec 2025
DCC Flags Serious Lapses at Blood Centres
The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has found serious problems at many blood centres in hospitals.
They say these centres are not following the rules properly, which could make the blood supply unsafe.
The DCC has told states like Maharashtra to check these centres more often.
They found many issues, like not having enough trained staff, bad storage conditions, and not testing blood properly.
Some blood banks in Pune and other places had their licences taken away because of these problems.
The DCC wants to make sure all blood centres follow the rules and get their licences renewed on time to keep everything safe.
The DCC has raised serious concerns over non-compliance at hospital-based blood centres nationwide.
States, including Maharashtra, have been directed to conduct periodic inspections with a focus on TTI testing and viral marker screening.
Recent inspections in Maharashtra revealed systemic failures, including unqualified staff and poor storage practices.
Dozens of blood banks in the Pune division and other regions had their licences suspended or revoked due to grave violations.
The DCC emphasised the importance of timely licence renewals to ensure compliance and prevent further lapses.
- Who
- Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- What
- Raised concerns over non-compliance at hospital-based blood centres and called for stronger enforcement of the Drugs Rules
- When
- Recent meeting and inspections in 2025
- Where
- Nationwide, with specific focus on Maharashtra and Mumbai
- Why
- To ensure a safe blood supply and improve compliance and regulatory oversight
- Organization
- Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC)
- Regulatory Body
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- Focus Areas
- Transfusion-transmissible infections (TTI) testing, ELISA, viral marker screening
- Key Directive
- Periodic inspections of blood centres, including government hospitals
- Recent Findings
- Systemic failures in Maharashtra's blood banks
- Violations Found
- Absence of qualified officers, poor storage, unhygienic practices, inadequate testing
- Action Taken
- Licences suspended or revoked in Pune division and other regions
- Emphasis
- Timely licence renewals to ensure compliance