Grifols Halts Plasma Donations Amid Investigation and Donor Fatalities

Grifols, a Spanish healthcare company operating Canada’s only private plasma donation clinics, has announced a temporary halt to plasma collections following the deaths of two donors and an ongoing government investigation into alleged unsafe practices.

The decision was communicated to Health Canada on Wednesday, coinciding with the agency's issuance of a formal notice of non-compliance regarding Grifols' adherence to blood regulations. The two fatal incidents, occurring in Manitoba in late 2025 and early 2026, raised serious concerns about the clinic's operational safety.

One of the deceased was identified as 22-year-old Rodiyat Alabede, who tragically died of cardiac arrest shortly after donating plasma in Winnipeg. Despite Health Canada’s findings that there was “no link” between her death and the donation process, advocates are demanding further investigation due to alleged discrepancies in the medical documentation surrounding her case.

Kat Lanteigne, a patient advocate representing Alabede’s family, criticized Grifols for potentially allowing untrained staff to perform plasma collections, raising alarms about operational standards and donor safety. Reports from Health Canada inspection revealed inadequate staff training, poor record-keeping, and failure to respond appropriately to alarming signals during the donation process.

Grifols has expressed its intention to work with Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services during this pause, stating it is a proactive measure to address “unfounded attention” regarding safety concerns. The company has consistently denied any connection between the donor deaths and plasma donations.

Source: www.theguardian.com