Grifols has paused operations at its for profit plasma collection clinics across Canada. This includes the location right here in Saint John, along with clinics in Moncton and Fredericton. The Spanish multinational company halted collections on August 14 following intense scrutiny over donor safety.

According to a report from the NB Media Coop, the pause comes after investigative journalists uncovered three donor deaths at a Grifols facility in Winnipeg since 2018. Reporters also found numerous compliance violations at other sites across the country. These rules exist to keep you safe when you donate plasma.

Advocates Demand a Permanent End

Labour unions and health coalitions across Canada welcome the temporary closure. They now want Canadian Blood Services to permanently end its contract with Grifols. The current agreement allows the private company to act as an agent and buy plasma from Canadians.

Chris Watson is the president of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour. He says paid blood donations exploit vulnerable populations and weaken the public supply.

“Blood products is a public resource, and voluntary donations are the safest way to collect this resource,” Watson said.

Other union leaders echo this sentiment. Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan, called for a criminal investigation into the Winnipeg deaths. He says vulnerable people fall prey to cash for blood schemes and will be safer with these private clinics closed.

Health Canada Revisions Raise Questions

Grifols facilities in New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta previously received noncompliant ratings from Health Canada. Inspectors found issues with donor screening, equipment maintenance, and error investigations.

Recently, Health Canada accepted revised reports from Grifols. This change allowed the company to reduce its reported serious incidents from 25 down to six. The revision notably removed violations previously recorded at the Saint John location.

Jason MacLean chairs the Canadian Health Coalition. He expects Health Canada to conduct a full investigation into the deaths and the company compliance system.

“It appears Health Canada is revising its reports based on the influence of Grifols and its self reporting,” MacLean said.

What Happens Next

Grifols claims it paused operations due to unfounded attention. Meanwhile, Health Canada states it will work with the company to address concerns before any sites reopen.

Canadian Blood Services maintains that paid plasma is safe and necessary to meet the needs of Canadian patients. New Brunswick currently allows payment for plasma, unlike provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Grifols close its Saint John plasma clinic?

Grifols temporarily paused all Canadian operations on August 14 following reports of donor deaths in Winnipeg and compliance violations across the country.

Does New Brunswick allow people to sell their plasma?

Yes. New Brunswick does not have a ban on paid plasma donations. Grifols previously ran ads offering donors thousands of dollars a year.

What is Canadian Blood Services doing about this?

Canadian Blood Services has a 15 year contract with Grifols. The organization maintains that paying for plasma is a safe and necessary way to secure life saving therapies for patients.