In a major move to strengthen the safety, transparency, and quality of blood stock management, the Maharashtra Public Health Department, through the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), launched a statewide surprise inspection drive at blood centres. As part of the special campaign, all the blood centres in Pune, Solapur, Nashik, and Mumbai were subjected to unannounced inspections between July 17 and 19.

The special drive was conducted in accordance with the directives issued by the SBTC on June 27. As blood is classified as a "drug" under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, strict compliance with quality, safety, and transparency norms in its collection, processing, storage, and distribution is mandatory.