FDA fines American Red Cross $4.2M

MrBrian

By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer
46 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - The government said Friday it was fining the American Red Cross $4.2 million for violating blood-safety laws.

The violations include failing to ask appropriate questions of potential donors and not following test procedures, said the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA said it had no evidence of serious health consequences resulting from the violations.

The fine was the largest single penalty assessed so far under terms of a 2003 court settlement that allows the large fines when the Red Cross violates FDA rules. Previously, the FDA had fined the Red Cross a total of $5.7 million.

A message left for American Red Cross spokesman Ryland Dodge was not immediately returned.

The Red Cross provides nearly half the nation's blood supply, selling blood products to health facilities.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060908/ap_on_go_ot/red_cross_blood

Jammin909

I remember hearing about a critical shortage of blood around the same time these violations took place.

Four million seems a little harsh considering the nature of their humanitarian work. They should be forced to donate the money charged against their operating expenses instead of it going to the government.

farfromglorified

not cool

Cosmo

So... what will the FDA do with the 4.2 Million Dollars? I'm sure it willl do much more good for Americans than that Red Cross does, right?