Canadian plasma clinics pause collections after deaths of two donors
Summary
A private plasma clinic chain in Canada called Grifols has stopped collecting plasma after two donors died and Health Canada began investigating safety problems. The government found multiple issues with the clinics, including poor staff training and failure to follow rules.Key Facts
- Grifols runs 17 private plasma donation clinics across Canada and is the only private plasma clinic chain in the country.
- Two donors died after donating plasma in Manitoba, in October 2025 and January 2026.
- Health Canada found that Grifols clinics had safety issues like poor staff training, incomplete records, and not following procedures.
- One donor, Rodiyat Alabede, 22, died of cardiac arrest shortly after donating plasma in Winnipeg.
- Health Canada said there was no proven link between the donations and the deaths, but advocates dispute this and want more investigation.
- The plasma donation process involves separating plasma from blood with a machine and takes about 90 minutes.
- In Manitoba, paying donors for plasma is allowed, unlike in some other provinces.
- Grifols paused donations voluntarily to cooperate with Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services during the review.
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