Licenses Of Two Blood Banks Cancelled For Illegal Sale Of Plasma

The licenses of the blood banks "Srikara Hospital Blood Centre" at Madinaguda in Miyapur, and "New Life Educational Society Blood Centre" at Darulshifa, both in Hyderabad, have been cancelled by the Drugs Control Administration, for allegedly being part of an illegal plasma collection racket which was busted at Moosapet on February 2, 2024.

According to Drugs Control Administration Director General V B Kamalasan Reddy, IPS, on February 2, his officers, acting on a tip-off, raided "Haemo Service Laboratories" operating in a residential building in Bhavani Nagar, Moosapet, Hyderabad. During the raid, the DCA officers detected a huge stock of human plasma bags stored in freezers. An R Raghavendra Naik has been operating the firm within the apartment, illegally collecting plasma from various blood banks and stockpiling them for sale in an unauthorized manner.

DCA officers found that Srikara Hospital Blood Centre and New Life Educational Society Blood Centre illegally sold plasma to Naik, not adhering to the norms.

DCA officers immediately raided the two blood banks, and confirmed the illegal sale of plasma to Haemo Service Laboratories. The DCA issued show-cause notices to both the blood banks, and their licenses have been cancelled in the larger public interest.

At blood banks, plasma is separated from whole blood, collected from donors, through a process called plasmapheresis. After collection, it must be frozen within six hours to preserve its integrity. Plasma must be stored in freezers at temperatures below minus 30?C to maintain its stability and prevent degradation.

Human plasma plays a crucial role in various medical treatments and therapies. Plasma transfusions are essential in treating patients with clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, and those who have undergone massive blood loss or trauma, and are also used in the treatment of immunodeficiency disorders and autoimmune diseases. Plasma is also administered to patients in critical conditions, such as severe burns, to stabilize their condition and prevent complications.