Toronto Centre Coun. Chris Moise wants to bar Canadian Blood Services-approved clinics that offer money in exchange for blood plasma from opening in Toronto.
Moise’s motion will go before city council this week.
The concern dates back to Canadian Blood Services’ 2022 announcement that it would be partnering with Grifols, a global health-care company, to open commercial blood plasma clinics across the country as a way to shore up Canada’s “supply chain for immunoglobulins.”
Immunoglobulins are derived from blood plasma and provide life-saving treatment for patients with immunodeficiencies.
Five clinics are expected to open in Ontario, including two in Toronto. The Toronto sites will be located in Etobicoke and North York, and are expected to open by the end of next year.
Canadian Blood Services has warned that the country fails the self-sufficiency test when it comes to collecting blood plasma, meaning Canadians alone do not donate enough to meet demand.
About 80 per cent of the immunoglobulin utilized by Canadian Blood Services is imported from the United States where paid donations are legal and commonplace.
Moise’s motion calls that industry “predatory” and argues council should protect vulnerable Torontonians from “exploitation by for-profit plasma collection companies.”
Canadian Blood Services is moving towards a goal of 50 per cent domestic plasma collection, as well as an end-to-end production supply chain. The organization has said the only way to achieve this is through commercial means.
Moise’s motion, which is seconded by Coun. Alejandra Bravo, wants Toronto to be declared a “paid plasma free zone” and for any clinics planned by Grifols to be barred from opening in the city.
“The public health community has raised concerns about Grifols Pharmaceuticals' plans,” Moise’s motion reads.
The filing points to the tainted blood crisis of the 1980s that caused 8,000 deaths through HIV and Hepatitis C exposure.
While paying for blood and plasma collection is generally banned by Ontario’s Voluntary Blood Donations Act, clinics operating in conjunction with Canadian Blood Services qualify for an exemption.
The organization argues adequate controls are in place to safeguard the national blood supply system as it expands paid donations.
It is unlikely Moise’s motion would succeed in blocking future clinics, even if it passes.
After the City of Hamilton passed a similar resolution in June, Canadian Blood Services deemed it a “symbolic gesture” and said Grifols still intends to open five locations in Ontario.
“Grifols’ site selection criteria included factors such as population size, proximity to post-secondary institutions, access to public transit and available real-estate,” per a news release.
Before giving a paid donation, people must meet eligibility criteria, and provide valid government-issued photo ID and proof of a permanent home address.
While commercial plasma collection has been endorsed by the Canadian Hemophilia Society and Canadian Immunodeficiencies Patient Organization, it has faced opposition from BloodWatch.org and the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union.
The latter led a letter-writing campaign ahead of Hamilton’s “paid plasma free zone” vote.
Two-thirds of Toronto councillors must vote in favour of Moise’s motion for it to be added to this week’s official meeting agenda. If it’s added, it just needs a simple majority to pass.
Moise was not available for comment for this story. Canadian Blood Services did not respond to a request by publication time.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to specify the locations of the planned donation clinics in Toronto.
