Telangana Drug Control Administration revokes licence of blood banks of Srikara hospitals, another

HYDERABAD: Telangana Drug Control Administration (DCA) on Monday cancelled the licences of two blood banks in Hyderabad for carrying out illegal plasma sales.

The licences of the blood banks 'Srikara Hospital Blood Centre' in Madinaguda, Miyapur, and 'New Life Educational Society Blood Centre' in Darulshifa were cancelled with immediate effect by the Drugs Control Administration in connection with the illegal plasma collection racket that was busted at Moosapet on February 2, 2024.

On February 2, 2024, officers from the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, acting on credible information, conducted a raid at Haemo Service Laboratories situated in Moosapet. During the raid, DCA officers discovered a huge stock of human plasma bags stored in freezers. R. Raghavendra Naik had been operating the firm 'Haemo Service Laboratories' within the apartment, illegally collecting plasma from various blood banks, and was found stockpiling it for sale in an unauthorised manner.

DCA officers found that the Srikara Hospital Blood Bank in Mythri Nagar, Madinaguda, Miyapur, Ranga Reddy District, and the New Life Educational Society Blood Centre at Abid Ali Khan Lions Eye Hospital, Darulshifa, illegally sold plasma to R. Raghavendra Naik of Haemo Service Laboratories, not adhering to the norms.

DCA officers found that Srikara Hospital Blood Bank in Mythri Nagar, Madinaguda, Miyapur, Ranga Reddy District, and New Life Educational Society Blood Centre at Abid Ali Khan Lions Eye Hospital, Darulshifa, illegally sold plasma to R. Raghavendra Naik of Haemo Service Laboratories. They raided both centres and confirmed the illegal plasma sale to Haemo Service Laboratories.

DCA Telangana issued show cause notices to both the blood banks following inspections of the blood banks regarding the illegal sale of plasma from the blood bank and for certain violations reported by DCA officers regarding non-conformity with blood bank norms.

Given that the illegal sale of plasma by blood banks can harm public health, the Drugs Control Administration revoked the licences of two blood banks, Srikara Hospital Blood Centre in Madinaguda, Miyapur, and New Life Educational Society Blood Centre in Darulshifa, with immediate effect, in the greater public interest.

Blood banks (blood centres) must implement stringent measures to prevent such activities and ensure the integrity of blood banking practices. Stringent action shall be taken as per the law against violators.