Bad Blood: FDA check on banks soon
After shortage of staff and wastage of blood in the city’s blood banks, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are now planning to start joint inspections of blood banks followed by compliance and verification visits in all 59 blood banks located here.
A senior official of FDA said inspection has become necessary to rectify errors of the blood banks.
“Joint inspections have been planned to expedite rectification of errors on the part of the blood banks such as shortage of doctors, unavailability of kits to test antibodies and other equipment-related issues. It has been observed that civic authorities have taken cognizance of operational issues be it staff and infrastructure related, only after an FDA inspection or notice for compliance is slapped,” the FDA official said.
According to existing rules, there should be at least three blood transfusion officers (BTOs) who should be working 24×7 in shifts. To avoid mistakes, all tests and collection of bloods should be done under the presence of BTO, the official said.
“It is mandatory that transfusion, collection of blood and its components, including plasma, white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) are done in the presence of a BTO to avoid fatal mistakes,” the official underlined.
As per the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, blood bank licenses are valid for five years. CDSCO renews licences after the state FDA recommends for renewal.
The official further said within six months of license expiry, an inspection of the blood bank is a must such an inspection will be conducted by a three-member committee.
Several show-cause notices were issued last year to civic body-run blood banks for violating several norms of the Drug and Cosmetics Act. The notices had asked them to fill up vacant posts of BTOs and technicians.
“Some blood banks did not have the required and in some cases, many things were missing from the mandatory blood test procedures,” the official added.