NDP calls for the closure of paid-plasma clinics

QUEEN’S PARK — NDP MPPs Dr. Robin Lennox, Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions with responsibility for Primary Care, and MPP France Gélinas, Shadow Minister for Health were joined by Kat Lanteigne, former Executive Director and Cofounder of BloodWatch.org, and Natalie Merha, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, to call for the closure of the private for profit Plasma collection centres run by Grifols in Ontario.

“Health Canada has identified serious infractions at the Grifols’ facilities,” stated MPP Gélinas. “Any healthcare facility that has such poor compliance should be shut down. If the government of Ontario has any interest in protecting Ontarians from harm, they should use the Voluntary Blood donations act to shut these clinics down now.

“The results of Health Canada investigation are sending a wave of uncertainty into the plasma collection system; it discourages people from making plasma donation.”

MPP Dr. Lennox added: "Paid plasma programs, like Grifols, are diverting our resources and attention away from what must be our primary focus: ensuring a safe, voluntary, and sustainable domestic supply of plasma to meet the needs of people with autoimmune conditions and blood disorders in Ontario.

“The safety and quality concerns identified at Grifols are an important reminder of why we must redouble our efforts to encourage voluntary plasma donation as an essential public service"

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

“The onus is not on donors to protect themselves from harm - the onus is on Grifols to abide by the Food and Drugs Act, which Health Canada has stated the company is violating at locations in Ontario. The commercialization of selling blood is a detriment to the safety of donors and the safety of the blood supply. All Grifols locations should have their licenses suspended until a full forensic audit can be completed on the company and the Voluntary Blood Donations Act must be enforced to stop Grifols from paying people to sell their blood.”

Kat Lanteigne, former Executive Director for non-profit advocacy organization BloodWatch

“We don’t allow commodifying human organs for good reason, because it is a dangerous, exploitative thing to do. We should not do it with blood products either. The families and communities of those who died and been harmed, and Canadians who rely on a safe blood system, deserve answers and real accountability.”

Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of advocacy organization Ontario Health Coalition