Grifols Plasma Clinic in Regina Faces Scrutiny Over Donation Practices and Safety Concerns
A Grifols plasma donation centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, is under scrutiny from Health Canada after a recent inspection revealed a violation of donation frequency rules. The findings coincide with an ongoing investigation into donor deaths at Grifols facilities in Manitoba, raising broader concerns about the safety and regulatory oversight of Canada’s paid plasma system.
Donation Interval Violation
Health Canada identified a violation during a January 2026 inspection at the Grifols plasma centre on Prince of Wales Drive. According to a spokesperson, a donor was permitted to donate plasma twice within a period of less than 48 hours, contravening federal policy. Health Canada stipulates a minimum two-day gap between donations, although up to two donations are allowed within a seven-day period.
The clinic received a “non-compliant” rating following the inspection, with deficiencies noted in collection procedures, quality management, operating procedures, personnel, and equipment.
Ongoing Investigations and Safety Concerns
The violation in Regina comes as Health Canada investigates the deaths of three individuals in Manitoba who donated plasma at Grifols centres over the past decade. Two of these deaths occurred in late 2025 and early 2026, within months of each other. Health Canada has not disclosed the timing of the third death.
Andrew Longhurst, a senior researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, emphasized the importance of robust regulatory oversight. “I think it speaks to the importance of that regulatory approach to ensure that safeguards are in place and those standards are being followed,” he stated. He also questioned the length of time a facility can remain operational while in a state of non-compliance.
In response to inquiries from CBC News, Grifols announced updates to its donation frequency rules, effective March 9, 2026, requiring a 48-hour wait between consecutive donations.
Grifols and the Paid Plasma System
Grifols operates over 400 plasma donation centres globally, including more than a dozen in Canada. The company offers donors compensation, with payments of up to $100 per donation, plus bonuses for frequent contributions, such as a $50 bonus for every 10 donations within six weeks. Grifols states its aim is to “ensure a secure supply of plasma for patients who need it.”
Longhurst has voiced concerns about the ethics of a paid plasma system, suggesting it may exploit economically vulnerable individuals. “I think it is a model of feeding off of the precarity in society and those that are economically vulnerable,” he said.
Grifols Response and Corrective Actions
In a statement to CBC, Grifols asserted that donor safety is its top priority and that the company operates under multiple layers of regulatory oversight. The company clarified that a “non-compliant” rating indicates areas for improvement and that action plans have been submitted to Health Canada to address the identified issues. The Regina clinic remains open while these corrective actions are implemented.
Recent inspections at Grifols facilities in Calgary and Regina have also revealed deficiencies in donor screening procedures, according to Health Canada’s drug inspection database. a third individual has filed a lawsuit alleging kidney damage following a plasma donation at a Grifols centre.