A company engaged in for-profit plasma donations has announced a temporary halt to its operations in all Canadian clinics due to public scrutiny. Grifols stated that it is suspending activities in response to unwarranted attention on paid plasma collection and is prepared to resume operations once feasible, in coordination with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services. The pause will take effect on Friday, as per the multinational company’s statement released on Thursday.
Grifols notified Health Canada of its decision on Wednesday, the same day the company received a non-compliance rating at its Winnipeg site on Taylor Avenue. An inspection report summary on Health Canada’s website highlighted deficiencies at the Winnipeg clinic, including inadequate corrective actions, lapses in following operating procedures, and insufficient records of staff qualifications and training evaluations.
Advocacy groups have been urging the federal government to take action against the company following reports by CBC News of two deaths linked to plasma donations at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg. A recent Health Canada inspection, obtained through information access laws, revealed various issues with donor screening and supervision, with six serious adverse reactions reported at Grifols-operated centers since 2018.
Noah Schulz, the provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition, expressed concerns about the company’s profit-driven approach leading to cost-cutting measures. He emphasized that the Health Canada inspection reports substantiate serious problems at Grifols, contrary to claims of media attention lacking evidence.
Grifols emphasized on Thursday that donor safety and plasma quality have always been maintained without compromise. Recent publicized inspections of licensed blood establishments showed that Grifols clinics in various Canadian provinces had received non-compliant ratings due to deficiencies in donor screening processes, equipment maintenance, and incident investigations.
Following the temporary closure of its plasma collection sites across Canada, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office welcomed Grifols’ decision, affirming that it will not impact the country’s blood supply. Health Canada had imposed additional terms and conditions on Grifols’ license, including unannounced inspections and warnings of potential operations suspension if identified problems persist.
Grifols intends to collaborate with the government and Canadian Blood Services during the pause to establish a self-sufficient plasma collection network without heavy reliance on imported products, given its extensive network of around 400 plasma collection centers globally.
