Hospital may face action for overcharging for blood

Hospital may face action for overcharging for blood
Blood
MUMBAI: Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai Central is likely to face action, including a fine, for overcharging patients for blood and blood products, according to the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During an inspection in June, the FDA’s intelligence department found that a patient was charged Rs 3,525 for a bag of red cells, more than double the government stipulated price of Rs 1,450; and platelets , which are supposed to be sold for Rs 400 per unit, was sold for Rs 1,025.

FDA commissioner Harshadeep Kamble said the hospital can charge more only if blood products are subjected to NAT, a test for infections. “These samples were not NAT tested. The hospital simply overcharged the patients,” he said. He added that the hospital has violated rules under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and appropriate action would be initiated. TOI tried to contact the hospital, but its officials didn’t want to comment as yet.