A company specializing in paid plasma donations has announced a temporary halt to its operations at all Canadian facilities due to ongoing public scrutiny. Grifols stated that the decision to pause activities is in response to unwarranted attention surrounding paid plasma collection and that it plans to resume operations once feasible, in coordination with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services. The suspension is set to commence on Friday, according to a statement released by the multinational corporation on Thursday.
Grifols informed Health Canada of its choice on Wednesday, the same day the federal agency issued a non-compliance rating to one of Grifols’ sites in Winnipeg. The inspection report highlighted deficiencies at the Winnipeg clinic, including inadequate corrective actions, deviations from operating procedures, and insufficient documentation of staff qualifications and training evaluations.
Advocates have been urging the government to take action against the company following reports by CBC News that two individuals died after donating plasma at different Grifols clinics in Winnipeg. An inspection conducted under access to information laws revealed multiple issues with donor screening and supervision, with Health Canada reporting six serious adverse reactions at Grifols-operated centers since 2018.
Noah Schulz, the provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition, emphasized the recurring poor practices observed at Grifols, attributing them to the company’s profit-driven approach. Schulz and other advocacy groups have called for a ban on paid plasma donations, citing concerns over safety and quality standards.
Grifols asserted that despite the temporary closure, donor safety and plasma quality have always been their top priorities. Public records show that Grifols’ clinics in several Canadian provinces have received non-compliant ratings due to various deficiencies in operations.
Following the recent incidents, including the tragic death of an international student after a plasma donation, calls for stricter regulations on paid plasma collection have intensified. Health Canada has imposed additional conditions on Grifols, including enhanced oversight measures and mandatory audits to address identified deficiencies.
Grifols stated that the temporary pause will enable collaboration with government authorities and the Canadian Blood Services to establish a self-sustaining plasma collection network in Canada, reducing reliance on imported products. The company, headquartered in Spain, operates approximately 400 plasma collection centers worldwide.