A for-profit company specializing in plasma donation has announced a temporary halt to its operations in all Canadian clinics due to increased public scrutiny. Grifols stated that the pause is in response to unwarranted attention surrounding paid plasma collection and emphasized its intention to resume activities in coordination with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services as soon as feasible. The suspension is scheduled to commence on Friday, according to the multinational corporation’s announcement on Thursday.
Grifols notified Health Canada of its decision on Wednesday, coinciding with the issuance of a non-compliance rating by the federal agency at one of its facilities in Winnipeg, specifically on Taylor Avenue. An inspection report summary on Health Canada’s official website highlighted deficiencies at the Winnipeg clinic, noting inadequate implementation of corrective and preventive actions when necessary, occasional deviations from operating procedures, and insufficient documentation regarding staff qualifications and training evaluations.
Following reports of two fatalities linked to plasma donation at different Grifols clinics in Winnipeg, advocacy groups have been urging the Canadian government to take action against the company. A recent Health Canada inspection, disclosed under access to information laws, revealed multiple concerns regarding donor screening and supervision, with six serious adverse reactions reported at Grifols-operated facilities since 2018.
Noah Schulz, the provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition, pointed out ongoing problematic practices within the company, stating that its profit-oriented approach often prioritizes cost-cutting measures. Schulz emphasized that the criticisms were substantiated by official Health Canada inspection findings, underscoring the existence of significant issues at Grifols.
Grifols affirmed its commitment to maintaining donor safety and ensuring the quality of collected plasma remains uncompromised. Publicly accessible inspection records of licensed blood establishments indicated that Grifols’ clinics in multiple Canadian provinces had received non-compliant ratings, citing deficiencies in donor screening processes, equipment maintenance, and incident handling procedures.
The closure of Grifols’ Canadian plasma collection sites was welcomed by advocates, such as Katherine Lanteigne, who represented the family of a deceased international student allegedly affected by plasma donation. Health Canada confirmed its collaboration with the company to address identified deficiencies, with additional remedial actions taken to enhance oversight and operational standards.
The temporary cessation of Grifols’ activities in Canada was applauded by Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office, highlighting the paramount importance of Canadians’ safety and affirming that the closure would not impact the country’s blood supply. Health Canada has imposed stringent conditions on Grifols’ operations, including reducing donation appointments, enhancing supervisory protocols, and conducting mandatory audits to rectify identified deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Grifols emphasized that the pause in operations would facilitate collaboration with the government and Canadian Blood Services to establish a self-sufficient plasma collection network, reducing reliance on imported products. The Spain-headquartered company currently operates approximately 400 plasma collection centers worldwide.