Regina plasma clinic violated donation rules, Health Canada says
CBC
A Regina plasma clinic that pays donors allowed someone to give twice in less than 48 hours, Health Canada says.
A spokesperson for Health Canada told CBC News in an email that the violation was identified during a January 2026 inspection at the Grifols plasma centre on Prince of Wales Drive.
The donations occurred on separate days but did not meet the required minimum interval.
Federal policy allows up to two donations within a seven-day period but requires at least a two-day gap between them.
Health Canada also rated the Regina clinic as “non-compliant” after the inspection report summary. The federal agency cited deficiencies in areas including the clinic's collection, quality management system, operating procedures, personnel and equipment.
Andrew Longhurst, a senior researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, says that raises concerns about whether safeguards are being followed.
“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 said.
Longhurst also questioned how strictly those standards are being enforced.
“It raises questions about how long you can be in non-compliance while also remaining in operation,” he said.
The findings come as Grifols, a Spain-based company, faces growing scrutiny.
CBC News learned earlier this month that three people in Manitoba have died after donating plasma over the past decade. A CBC News investigation found two deaths in late 2025 and early 2026 happened within months of each other. Health Canada did not say when the other death occurred.
Health Canada says its investigation into the Manitoba deaths is ongoing.
Longhurst says what is known so far is concerning, and he has called for a judicial inquiry to better understand what happened.
After CBC News asked both Grifols and Health Canada to respond to the recent deaths, the company posted a notice on its website saying its donation frequency rules have been updated. Grifols said that beginning March 9, a person must wait at least 48 hours between consecutive donations.
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