A company engaged in paid plasma donations in Canada has announced a temporary halt in its clinic operations due to recent public scrutiny. Grifols has decided to pause activities citing unwarranted attention on paid plasma collection. The company is committed to resuming operations in collaboration with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services. The temporary closure is set to begin on Friday, as per the multinational company’s statement released on Thursday.
Grifols informed Health Canada of its decision following a non-compliance rating issued by the federal agency at its Winnipeg site on Taylor Avenue. The inspection report highlighted deficiencies in corrective actions, adherence to operating procedures, and documentation of staff qualifications at the Winnipeg clinic.
Advocates have been urging the government to take action against the company following reports of two fatalities linked to plasma donation at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg. A recent Health Canada inspection, conducted under access to information laws, revealed various issues with donor screening and supervision, including six serious adverse reactions reported at Grifols-operated centers since 2018.
Noah Schulz, representing the Manitoba Health Coalition, criticized the company for prioritizing cost-cutting measures due to its for-profit nature. Despite Grifols asserting that donor safety and plasma quality remain uncompromised, concerns persist regarding the company’s operational standards.
Notably, Grifols’ clinics in several Canadian provinces have received non-compliant ratings, with the most recent one in June at the Taylor Avenue location in Winnipeg. The inspection highlighted deficiencies in donor screening, equipment maintenance, and error investigation processes.
Following the tragic death of an international student at the clinic, advocates have called for an immediate suspension of Grifols’ operating licenses. Health Canada has been working closely with the company to address deficiencies and has imposed additional remedial measures, including enhanced licensing terms, unannounced inspections, and formal warnings of potential operational suspensions.
In response to Grifols’ temporary closure decision, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office emphasized the priority of Canadians’ safety. The temporary halt is not expected to impact the country’s blood supply, according to the minister’s office.
Health Canada has imposed conditions on multiple Grifols sites to improve operational standards, including reducing donation appointments, increasing staff training, and enhancing oversight mechanisms. Grifols plans to collaborate with government authorities and Canadian Blood Services to establish a domestic plasma collection network, reducing dependence on imported products. The company, based in Spain, operates approximately 400 plasma collection centers globally.