A company operating for-profit plasma donation services has announced a temporary halt to its operations at all Canadian clinics due to public scrutiny. Grifols made the decision to pause activities in response to what it called unwarranted attention on paid plasma collection. The company stated that it is prepared to resume operations in coordination with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services. The pause is set to begin on Friday, as per the multinational company’s statement released on Thursday.
Grifols informed Health Canada of its decision the day after receiving a non-compliance rating at one of its facilities in Winnipeg. An inspection report on Health Canada’s website highlighted deficiencies at the Winnipeg clinic, including inadequate corrective actions, failure to follow operating procedures consistently, and insufficient records of staff qualifications.
Advocates have been urging the government to take action against the company following reports of two individuals dying after donating plasma at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg. A recent Health Canada inspection revealed multiple issues with donor screening and supervision, with six serious adverse reactions reported at Grifols centers since 2018.
Noah Schulz, provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition, expressed concerns about the company’s profit-driven approach, emphasizing the need for evidence-based scrutiny. Grifols maintained that donor safety and plasma quality have never been compromised.
Recent inspections of Grifols clinics across several Canadian provinces have resulted in non-compliant ratings, highlighting issues with donor screening, equipment maintenance, and accident investigation. The company faced scrutiny following the death of an international student after donating plasma in Winnipeg, though no direct link to the donation process was found by Health Canada.
While Grifols temporarily closes its plasma collection sites in Canada, advocates continue to push for stricter regulatory measures. Health Canada has imposed additional conditions on the company’s operations, including enhanced oversight, staff training, and audits to address identified deficiencies. Grifols aims to collaborate with the government and Canadian Blood Services to establish a domestic plasma collection network that reduces reliance on imported products. The company, based in Spain, operates numerous plasma collection centers globally.
