A company that collects plasma for profit has announced a temporary closure of all its Canadian clinics due to public scrutiny. Grifols stated that it is halting operations in response to unwarranted attention on paid plasma collection and is prepared to resume activities in coordination with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services. The suspension will take effect starting Friday, as per the multinational corporation’s announcement on Thursday.
The decision to pause operations came after Health Canada issued a non-compliance rating to Grifols at its Winnipeg facility on Taylor Avenue. The inspection report highlighted deficiencies at the clinic, including inadequate corrective actions, lapses in following operating procedures, and insufficient documentation on staff qualifications and training.
Advocacy groups have been urging the government to take action against the company following reports of two individuals dying after donating plasma at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg. A recent Health Canada inspection revealed multiple issues with donor screening and supervision, with six serious adverse reactions reported at Grifols centers since 2018.
Noah Schulz, from the Manitoba Health Coalition, emphasized concerns about the company’s profit-driven practices, citing Health Canada inspection reports that expose significant problems at Grifols facilities. Despite the criticism, Grifols maintains that donor safety and plasma quality have always been prioritized.
Recent inspections of Grifols clinics in several Canadian provinces have resulted in non-compliant ratings, with deficiencies found in donor screening processes, equipment maintenance, and error investigation protocols. The company’s decision to temporarily close its plasma collection sites has been welcomed by advocates, who are calling for the immediate suspension of its operating licenses.
Health Canada has imposed additional terms and conditions on Grifols, including unannounced inspections and warnings about potential suspension of operations. The agency emphasized the importance of Canadians’ safety and confirmed that the temporary closure will not impact the country’s blood supply.
Grifols stated that the pause will allow for collaboration with the government and Canadian Blood Services to establish a plasma collection network that reduces reliance on imported products. The company, headquartered in Spain, operates around 400 plasma collection centers globally.