Key facts
- Grifols, Canada's sole private plasma donation clinic operator, has temporarily halted collections.
- The decision follows the deaths of two donors and a Health Canada investigation into unsafe practices.
- Health Canada issued a notice of non-compliance for failing to adhere to blood regulations.
- Inspection reports from May revealed multiple deficiencies at Grifols clinics, including inadequate staff training and poor record-keeping.
- Grifols stated the pause was voluntary and aimed at cooperating with Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services.
Grifols, the Spanish healthcare company that operates all 17 private plasma donation clinics in Canada, announced on Friday it is temporarily pausing collections. This decision follows the deaths of two donors and a recent investigation by Health Canada into potential unsafe practices.
Health Canada had issued a formal notice of non-compliance to Grifols on Wednesday for failing to follow blood regulations. The two donor deaths occurred in October 2025 and January 2026 in Manitoba. One of the deceased donors was identified by friends as Rodiyat Alabede, a 22-year-old international student. Patient advocates have raised concerns about Alabede's screening process and alleged that staff lacked proper training for safe plasma extraction.
Inspection reports from May revealed multiple deficiencies at Grifols clinics, including inadequate staff training, failures in standard operating procedures, poor record-keeping, and a lack of remediation for past issues. Reports indicated that staff did not stop plasma collection when alarms sounded, and the company's reporting was described as incomplete and inaccurate.
Grifols stated that the pause was "proactively and voluntarily" initiated due to "unfounded attention" and to allow collaboration with Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services. The company has denied that the deaths were linked to plasma donation. Health Canada confirmed finding "various deficiencies" at the Taylor Avenue Grifols location in Winnipeg.