Canadian Blood Donors Express Concern as Plasma Products are Sold Abroad
Fredericton, N.B. – Longtime blood and plasma donors across Canada are voicing surprise and concern after learning Canadian-collected plasma is being sold to private companies for profit, some of which are then exported. The revelation has sparked debate about the ethics of profiting from a vital resource traditionally given freely, and its potential impact on domestic supply.
The practice, recently brought to light by CBC News, has prompted reactions from dedicated donors like Mike Horgan, a retired police officer with over 1,000 donations, and a physician whose family has a direct connection to the need for blood products. While many remain committed to donating, they question whether the current system adequately prioritizes Canadian patients.
“Yeah, that’s not right,” Horgan said. “Definitely shouldn’t be allowed.” He expressed disapproval of a private company “trying to cash in… and make money off other people.”
The concerns stem from a shift in how plasma is collected and utilized in canada. Canadian Blood Services (CBS) collects plasma through donations, and a portion is then sold to pharmaceutical companies who fractionate it into life-saving therapies like immunoglobulins and albumin. These products are then sold both domestically and internationally.
One donor, a doctor whose mother-in-law is a transplant recipient and whose wife is also a physician, stated, ”Yes, that would bother me a little bit. Yes, absolutely.” His personal experience underscores the critical need for a secure and ethically managed blood supply.
Despite their reservations, donors like Horgan emphasize their continued support for Canadian Blood Services. “It still goes to a good cause,” he said, maintaining his weekly donation schedule, with only two weeks missed each year during the holiday closure.
The situation raises questions about the balance between generating revenue from plasma and ensuring sufficient supply for Canadians who rely on these therapies. CBS maintains that revenue from plasma sales is reinvested into the blood system, but critics argue greater clarity and stricter regulations are needed to prevent exploitation and prioritize domestic needs.
anyone with further information regarding this story is encouraged to contact allyson.mccormack@cbc.ca.
