March 31 2026
Today, advocates of public universal health care across Canada are calling for the closure of Grifols facilities, citing 2 deaths and one kidney injury lawsuit, as well as several adverse events at Grifols collection store fronts under investigation by Health Canada.
The two deaths took place after donating plasma at two separate, for-profit Grifols plasma collection clinics in Winnipeg (October 2025 and January 2026). In 2023, a donor at a Winnipeg location alleges he suffered an acute kidney injury caused by mechanical equipment failure.
“What has happened should be a wake-up call for all health officials and elected representatives about the dangers of for-profit paid plasma collection,” said Bert Blundon, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). “A history non-compliance at Grifols clinics offered several warning signs.”
For years, NUPGE has called for a federal ban on paid plasma collection. The for-profit model puts incentives in place that put donors at risk. Paid plasma also targets vulnerable populations. The Grifols centre in Moncton, for example, is located near the Université de Moncton and offers up to $1,680 in the first three months of donations.
“Our view is plasma collection should only be carried out by Canadian Blood Services on a voluntary, non-profit basis,” said Blundon.
Health coalitions demand action
At an online press conference, Sioban Vipond of the Canadian Health Coalition was joined by health coalition members from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario to call on Health Canada, Canadian Blood Services and provincial governments to take action to immediately end Grifols’ authorization to collect plasma in Canada and disclose the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) contract with Grifols. In addition, they called for:
- Canadian Blood Services’ release the contract that they signed with Grifols the terms of which have been kept secret to date, and end the contract;
- Grifols’ compliance with the directive of the Standing Committee on Health and disclose the contract;
- Health Canada’s termination of any licensing or equivalent approvals for Grifols to collect plasma, and;
- Provincial governments that have allowed Grifols to set up for-profit plasma centres to prohibit paid and for-profit blood products collection.
The group also urged Canadian Blood Services to expand its voluntary blood and plasma donation system and end for-profit/paid plasma in keeping with the recommendations of the Krever Commission.
They also asked Health Canada to release the detailed inspection reports (not just the summaries), including adverse events (errors and accidents), and provide public information on whether all the remaining Grifols centres have been inspected since they started operation.
Grifols history in Canada
In the the three-and-a-half years since they started operating in Canada, Grifols’ facilities have been found non-compliant more times than all other blood products collection centres in Canada combined in the last 14 years. In December 2025, Health Canada inspectors found the Grifols centre in Calgary to be non-compliant. In January 2026, a Regina location was also found non-compliant. Both inspections found shortcomings in assessing donor suitability, quality control, operating procedures, and personnel qualifications and training.
“The warning signs were there and they were ignored. This has to stop,” said Blundon.
Deaths related to plasma collection are extremely rare. The deaths at Grifols’ facilities in Canada, combined with the gravity and frequency of their non-compliance issues, demonstrate a need for immediate action.
More information:
Two Dead After Donating at For-Profit Plasma Clinics — NUPGE Calls for Immediate Action