{"id":31398,"date":"2026-04-15T11:07:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T15:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/?p=31398"},"modified":"2026-04-22T11:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T15:10:09","slug":"ontario-health-coalition-calls-for-investigation-into-for-profit-plasma-centres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/index.php\/ontario-health-coalition-calls-for-investigation-into-for-profit-plasma-centres\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario Health Coalition calls for investigation into for-profit plasma centres"},"content":{"rendered":"

(April 14, 2026) By: Doreen Nicoll, rabble.ca<\/p>\n

After two deaths at for-profit plasma centres, provincial health coalitions are calling for greater transparency and accountability.<\/em><\/p>\n

Following the disclosure of two deaths at two different Grifols<\/a> for-profit blood plasma centres in Winnipeg, MB, the Ontario and Manitoba Health Coalitions are calling for a judicial inquest independent of Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services (CBS).<\/p>\n

In Canada, men can donate blood every eight weeks and women every 12. CBS suggests plasma can be donated every six to 14 days with a limit of 52 times per year. Yet, Health Canada authorizes private, for-profit companies like Grifols to collect plasma from one client up to 104 times per year.<\/p>\n

Grifols tends to open its for-profit centres in economically challenged neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n

Grifols incentivizes plasma collections by offering up to $6,890 annually for those who maximize all the inducements including a $50 bonus for every 10 \u201cdonations\u201d made within six weeks. This will inevitably take a toll on the bodies and health of those selling their plasma.<\/p>\n

While donating plasma is generally safe, studies raise concerns around frequency since the process extracts iron, immunoglobulins, proteins and nutrients. Frequent plasma sellers may experience higher rates of lower blood protein levels, increased risk of infection, as well as liver and kidney problems.<\/p>\n

A 43-year old Winnipeg man is currently suing<\/a> Grifols\u00a0and three Grifols employees alleging acute kidney damage caused by equipment failure on July 15, 2023.<\/p>\n

Inspection reports from Health Canada\u00a0show that four Grifols centres have been found non-compliant. That means these sites failed to show their activities comply with the Food and Drugs Act and Blood Regulations. The sites include Calgary<\/a>, AB; St. John<\/a>, NB; and Regina<\/a> and Saskatoon<\/a>, SK.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe inspection reports showing non-compliance at Grifols\u2019 centres are shocking. The findings are deeply troubling. They show fail after fail after fail,\u201d Geoff Cain, volunteer co-chair of the Coalition\u2019s Committee to Protect Ontario\u2019s Blood System and former employee at CBS explained during a March 13 press conference rabble.ca<\/em> attended.<\/p>\n

Health Canada can suspend or revoke Grifols licence for failure to comply with federal safety regulations and standards. So far, Health Canada has not intervened in the case of Grifols multiple infractions.<\/p>\n

In 2014, the Ontario Liberal government passed the Voluntary Blood Donations Act<\/em> that banned paying for plasma. The ban was in keeping with the recommendations of the Krever Commission<\/a> that looked into Canada\u2019s tainted blood scandal<\/a> that resulted in approximately 8,000 deaths.<\/p>\n

In 2022, CBS signed a 15-year contract with Grifols and then the Ontario Doug Ford government allowed them to set up paid plasma centres in province.\u00a0OHC opposed the arrangement and continues to call for CBS to end its contract with Grifols.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not allow for-profit companies to harvest human organs and sell them. It crosses a moral line that is held for good reason. Commodification results in unacceptable exploitation, harm, safety issues and inequities,\u201d said Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition during the press conference. \u201cThe same principle applies to human blood. We are calling on our provincial government, CBS and Health Canada to expand and protect the voluntary public blood and plasma donation system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, the Ontario Health Coalition calls for:<\/p>\n