Question : EXORBITANT PRICES FOR BLOOD

(a) whether the Government are aware that the private blood banks in the country are charging exorbitant prices from the people for sale of blood;

(b) if so, whether the Government have received complaints in this regard;

(c) if so, the action taken against such private blood banks; and

(d) the corrective steps taken by the Government to check this practice?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)

a) Selling of blood is prohibited and, therefore, no charges should be levied for blood itself. However some service charge for testing and processing of the donated blood is recovered.

(b) No complaint has been received in this regard.

(c) & (d) Does not arise.