The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has charged the American Red Cross yet again with a whopping fine because they did not adhere to the stipulation of safe blood collection techniques. The Red Cross (ARC), which is responsible for nearly 45 percent of the nation's requirement of blood, has been under the vigilance of the government since 1993, to adopt adequate measures to make the blood safe by enhancing the quality control system.
This fine slapped on the Red Cross is to the tune of $4.2 million. 'The safety of the blood supply is extremely important,' said Margaret Glavin, the FDA's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. 'The safety of the blood supply requires a rigorous quality control system at all points along the supply chain,' she added.According to her, the FDA has instructed ARC to audit its quality assurance system and to quote the words of Glavin, 'FDA does not consider the current situation acceptable. It is not acceptable that the quality system has failed in this way. We will continue to work to make sure that the quality system is improved in its design and in its implementation so that these kinds of problems do not continue to occur.'
Source-Medindia
SAV
