Drugs Panel Recommends Biometric Authentication For Blood Donors

The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended the establishment of a sub-committee to study the implementation modalities and feasibility of biometric authentication of blood donors at blood centres and blood donation camps in Mumbai.

This move aims to strengthen blood transfusion safety and regulatory oversight. The DCC made this recommendation during its 69th meeting, where it deliberated on incorporating mandatory provisions relating to e-RaktKosh and External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQAS) for whole human blood and blood components under the Drugs Rules.

The committee has also proposed amending the Drugs Rules to make registration on the Centre's e-RaktKosh portal mandatory for all licensed blood centres. This digital blood bank management system enables real-time monitoring of blood inventory, donor records, and blood component availability.

Mandatory registration is expected to improve transparency, strengthen haemovigilance, enhance traceability of blood units, and facilitate better management of blood supplies across the country. Health experts believe that biometric authentication would help create a unique identity for every blood donor, preventing duplicate registrations and ensuring compliance with prescribed donation intervals.

It would also improve traceability of donated blood and strengthen the national donor database through integration with e-RaktKosh. The sub-committee will examine the operational, legal, and privacy aspects of biometric authentication before submitting its report to the DCC.

The e-RaktKosh portal is currently a recommended practice for licensed blood centres, but it lacks explicit statutory backing. The DCC's recommendation aims to address this gap and make registration and participation in EQAS mandatory.

The implementation of biometric authentication and mandatory registration on e-RaktKosh is expected to have a significant impact on blood transfusion safety in Mumbai and across the country.

The DCC's recommendations are a step towards strengthening the regulatory framework for blood transfusion and ensuring the safety of patients who receive blood transfusions.

In conclusion, the Drugs Consultative Committee's recommendation for biometric authentication of blood donors is a significant development in the field of blood transfusion safety. It has the potential to prevent duplicate registrations, ensure compliance with donation intervals, and improve traceability of donated blood.

This move is expected to strengthen the national donor database and improve the overall safety of blood transfusions in Mumbai and across the country.

The implementation of these recommendations will be closely watched by health experts and the public, who are eager to see the positive impact it will have on blood transfusion safety in India.