A company specializing in paid plasma donations has announced a temporary cessation of operations at its Canadian facilities due to increased public scrutiny. Grifols stated that it is halting activities in response to unfounded attention on paid plasma collection, with plans to resume operations in coordination with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services. The pause is set to begin on Friday, as disclosed by the multinational company on Thursday.
Following a non-compliance rating issued by Health Canada at its Winnipeg location on Taylor Avenue, Grifols informed the regulatory authority of its decision on Wednesday. The inspection report noted deficiencies in corrective actions, operational procedures, and staff qualifications at the Winnipeg clinic.
Advocacy groups have urged the federal government to take action against the company after reports of two deaths linked to plasma donation at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg. Health Canada’s inspection revealed various issues with donor screening and supervision, with six serious adverse reactions reported at Grifols-operated centers since 2018.
Despite claims of maintaining donor safety and plasma quality, Grifols has faced compliance challenges across multiple Canadian provinces. The company’s clinics in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have received non-compliant ratings in recent public inspections.
The closure of Grifols’ plasma collection sites in Canada has been welcomed by advocates, emphasizing the importance of donor safety. Health Canada has implemented additional measures, including revised licensing terms, inspections, and warnings to address identified deficiencies. The government assured that the temporary closure will not impact the country’s blood supply and aims to enhance the domestic plasma collection network.