Private Clinic Grifols Stops Plasma Collection in Canada
The company is temporarily closing all its clinics in Canada because of public scrutiny.
Grifols says it is stopping activities because of unfair attention to paid plasma collection and will start again when it is safe to do so, with the agreement of Health Canada and the Canadian Blood Services.
The stop will start on Friday, the company said on Thursday.
Grifols told Health Canada about its decision on Wednesday, the same day the company got a non-compliance rating at one of its Winnipeg sites.
A report on Health Canada's website said the Winnipeg clinic did not take enough corrective actions when needed.
The report also said some procedures were not followed and staff records were not complete.
People have been asking the government to take action against Grifols after two people died donating plasma at its clinics in Winnipeg.
A Health Canada inspection found problems with donor screening and supervision, and 25 serious adverse reactions were reported at Grifols clinics since 2018. The company has poor practices, says an advocate.
The advocate and other groups want a ban on paid plasma donation.
The advocate says being for-profit means the company tries to save money.
The advocate says there is evidence of problems at Grifols, not just media attention. Health Canada inspection reports show serious issues. The company's clinics have had non-compliant ratings in several provinces.
Grifols says donor safety and plasma quality have never been compromised.
Inspections show the company's clinics have had non-compliant ratings in several provinces.
A recent inspection found problems with donor screening, equipment cleaning, and error investigation at a Winnipeg clinic.
Health Canada found that Grifols allowed plasma donors with disease risk.
Most serious adverse reactions among plasma donors involved for-profit sites.
A 22-year-old international student died after donating plasma, but Health Canada says there is no link to the donation process.
An advocate for the student's family says donors are safe now that Grifols has closed its clinics, but wants Health Canada to suspend the company's licences.
Health Canada was working with Grifols to address deficiencies before the company closed its clinics.
The government had imposed extra conditions on Grifols' licence and conducted an unannounced inspection.
The government welcomes Grifols' decision to close its clinics, saying Canadians' safety comes first.
Health Canada found problems at two Grifols plasma donation centres after Winnipeg deaths.
Staff did not stop plasma collection despite a machine alert before a Winnipeg woman died.
Health Canada had imposed conditions on several Grifols sites.
The agency ordered Grifols to reduce donation appointments and improve oversight.
Grifols will work with the government and Canadian Blood Services to improve plasma collection.
The company has about 400 plasma collection centres outside Canada.
Grifols is a private clinic that collects plasma.