For Immediate Release February 20, 2024 TORONTO – OPSEU/SEFPO condemns the announcement by Canadian Blood Services that for-profit multinational pharmaceutical company Grifols will open paid plasma collection sites in Whitby, Cambridge, Hamilton in late 2024 and 2025. Grifols will be operating under an undisclosed 15-year deal with Canadian Blood Services to privatize plasma collection in […]
The status quo is dependence on paid plasma, we import about 80% of our plasma from the US, because you don’t get enough donors when you don’t compensate them. Everyone else in the donation chain gets compensated (phlebotomists, doctors, nurses, receptionist…), and there’s nothing wrong with compensating the donor as well.
I agree with your final statement with respect to cadavers, as well.
Someone has a rare condition that leads to some scientific insight that makes a researcher or company rich, and they get nothing. People make tens of thousands of dollars processing bodies for organ transplants, and the donor’s family get a thank you note.
Let’s not pretend that the medical tissue harvesting and usage system isn’t for-profit. The only people not getting ahead in the process are the people literally giving of themselves for the sake of others.
CBS has only 8 locations for plasma donations. The vast majority of Canadians live no where near these locations! It’s like they’re not even trying, and are surprised they are failing!