In Maharashtra, private blood banks and hospitals will be allowed to charge only a maximum rate of Rs 5,500 per 200 ml bag for the plasma therapy of COVID patient, said State Health Minister, Rajesh Tope on Thursday.
The Minister warned that if the rate is higher than Rs 5,500, then the additional amount charged will have to be reimbursed to the patients, otherwise, the blood bank licence could be revoked by the competent authority.
He said that free plasma therapy was conducted on a trial basis in the Government Medical Colleges. The Central Government and the Central Drug Standards Organization has issued guidelines for the use of the therapy,
An expert committee was constituted through the State Blood Transfusion Council to determine the cost of this plasma per dose to make this therapy available to the patients at affordable rates. The committee has fixed the rates keeping in view the cost of collecting plasma and the service charges for additional tests on blood as per the National Blood Policy, he said.