Licences of three Mumbai blood banks suspended for offering gifts

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of three Mumbai blood banks for distributing gifts, specifically Titan watches, to donors at a blood donation camp in April 2026. The blood banks, Indian Red Cross Society Blood Centre, Mumbai; Dean Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals Blood Centre, Byculla; and B.Y.L.

Nair Charitable Hospital Blood Centre, Mumbai Central, had their licences suspended for varying periods under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. However, two of these blood centres, Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals and Nair Hospital, have appealed the suspension and secured temporary stays. The NBTC Guidelines for Voluntary Blood Donation strictly prohibit offering gifts to donors at such camps.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe emphasized the importance of adhering to guidelines, stating that gifts or inducements should not be used to encourage blood donation.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.