The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana has revoked the licenses of two blood banks in Hyderabad due to their involvement in the illegal sale of human plasma.
Officials announced on Monday that the licenses of Srikara Hospital Blood Centre and New Life Educational Society Blood Centre have been cancelled in connection with an illegal plasma collection racket uncovered in Moosapet on February 2.
Acting on credible information, DCA officials raided Haemo Service Laboratories in Moosapet on February 2, where they discovered a large stock of human plasma bags stored in freezers. The firm, operated by R. Raghavendra Naik, was found to be illegally collecting plasma from various blood banks and selling it without authorization.
Investigations revealed that Srikara Hospital Blood Bank and New Life Educational Society Blood Centre were illegally selling plasma to Haemo Service Laboratories. Upon verification, DCA officers confirmed the illicit transactions.
Plasma, separated from whole blood through plasmapheresis, must be frozen within six hours of collection to maintain its integrity. It should be stored at temperatures below minus 30 degrees Celsius to prevent degradation.
In response to these violations, DCA Telangana issued show cause notices to the two blood banks. As the illegal sale of plasma poses significant risks to public health, the licenses of the blood banks were revoked with immediate effect in the interest of public safety, stated DCA Director General Kamalasan Reddy.
Reddy emphasized the importance of blood banks adhering to strict measures to prevent such activities and maintain the integrity of blood banking practices. He warned of stringent legal action against violators.
