A company specializing in paid plasma donation has announced a temporary closure of its Canadian clinics in response to public scrutiny. Grifols has decided to pause its operations due to what it calls unwarranted attention on paid plasma collection. The company aims to resume activities soon in coordination with Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services. The temporary halt is set to begin on Friday, according to a statement released by the multinational corporation on Thursday.
Grifols notified Health Canada of its decision on Wednesday, coinciding with a non-compliance rating issued by the federal agency for one of its Winnipeg locations on Taylor Avenue. An inspection report posted on Health Canada’s website highlighted deficiencies at the Winnipeg clinic, including inadequate implementation of corrective and preventive actions when necessary, lapses in following operating procedures, and shortcomings in maintaining records related to staff qualifications and training evaluations.
Following reports of adverse incidents at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg, advocacy groups have urged the government to take action against the company. Health Canada’s recent inspection, made public under access to information laws, revealed various concerns regarding donor screening and supervision, with six serious adverse reactions reported at Grifols-operated centers since 2018. Noah Schulz, provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition, emphasized ongoing issues with the company’s practices and called for a ban on paid plasma donation.
Grifols emphasized its commitment to donor safety and the quality of collected plasma, asserting that these aspects have never been compromised. Recent inspections of the company’s licensed blood establishments across several Canadian provinces have resulted in non-compliant ratings. The most recent evaluation of the Taylor Avenue clinic in June identified issues related to donor screening, equipment maintenance, and incident investigation procedures.
The company’s decision to temporarily close its clinics has been welcomed by advocates and Health Canada. In response to the closure announcement, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office stated that the safety of Canadians remains a top priority. Health Canada has imposed additional conditions on Grifols’ operations, including reducing donation appointments, enhancing staff training, and implementing stricter oversight measures. Grifols plans to collaborate with the government and Canadian Blood Services to establish a domestic plasma collection network with reduced reliance on imported products.
Despite the temporary closure of its Canadian sites, Grifols operates approximately 400 plasma collection centers worldwide.