I was shocked to learn the American Red Cross is facing another heavy fine over blood-safety violations. This most recent development brings the penalties levied against the organization to more than $15 million over the last few years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fined the organization $4.2 million in September for continuing to violate blood-safety rules and failure to comply with a 2003 agreement aimed at correcting the unsafe practices. Read the FDA report here.
The violation of blood-safety laws is a most disturbing matter. The Red Cross provides more than forty (40%) percent of the nation’s blood supply, selling blood products to health facilities like hospitals and clinics. This organization need to clean up its act and do it quickly!