Most blood banks operate sans licence

Indore, April 2016: Nearly 20 government blood banks and storage units along with a dozen private blood banks in Indore division are operating without licences as it either expired in the last few months or are pending for renewal.

According to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, blood bank licenses are valid for five years. Central Licensing Approving Authority of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) renews licences after the State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) satisfies and recommends for renewal.

Before recommending, a three-member committee comprising CDSCO Drugs Inspector, Drugs Inspector of FDA and an expert in the field, conduct a joint inspection and see whether the management or organization has provided all the facilities or not. The inspection must be done within six months after the expiry date of the licence as per the norms.

If the licence of any blood bank is not renewed, it is deemed as cancelled. Sources said that most of the blood banks in the division are running without proper permission from the concerned authority. The licenses of these blood banks which are running from the premises of government hospitals lapsed, but either the hospitals haven't bothered to apply for renewals or there is delay in renewing licences by the food and drug department.

Divisional Joint director (Health), Dr Sharad Pandit said, "There are about 50 government blood banks and storage unit that lack licence while licenses of around 20 banks or storage units has expired. We asked them to continue working and apply for licence renewal. Most of them completed the process. We can't stop them."
He added saying that he will personally take up the matter with the Food and Drug department officials on delay in licence renewal process.

On the other hand, officials of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed inability to reveal facts about the licensing. Deputy Drug Controller, Shobhit Koshta said, "I cannot provide the data off-hand. I will have to check the facts."

When asked about the license renewal process, he said, "The process takes around one month. Ideally, blood banks centres should apply three months before licence expiry so as to avoid delays."The Times of India