(Montreal) Canadian Blood Services says it is in talks with companies that pay plasma donors, as it faces a drop in donations.
Posted at 2:20 p.m.
The blood collection agency released a statement on Friday saying that it has “entered into discussions with governments and plasma product manufacturers to find a solution to achieve a minimum of 50% plasma self-sufficiency, as soon as possible “.
Canadian Blood Services has previously warned that letting companies exchange cash for plasma — a practice banned in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec — could drive donors away from voluntary donation.
Most of the organization’s funding currently comes from abroad, in particular via entities that remunerate donors.
The agency issued an appeal earlier this week for donors to make and keep appointments, noting that collections have declined since 1er July despite a constant need for plasma for surgical transfusions, cancer patients and accident victims.
Plasma is necessary for the production of immunoglobulins, which are needed by a large number of patients, in particular those suffering from an immune deficiency.
The organization says the number of people donating blood has steadily dropped by 31,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving it with the smallest donor base in a decade.
The agency has opened five new plasma donor centers in recent years, with six more planned by 2024 with the goal of drawing 25% of its supply from Canadian donors.
“But this will not be enough and we need to consider other ways to achieve our goal,” Canadian Blood Services said in its statement.
Working with private partners may provide a way to reach the 50% threshold.
“The options considered must all include means of control which will make it possible to ensure, on the one hand, that the plasma collected in Canada will be used exclusively to manufacture immunoglobulins intended for Canadian patients and, on the other hand, that it there will be no repercussions, in the short or long term, on the collection network of the Canadian Blood Services”, specifies the agency.
On Monday, she announced she only had a four-day supply for O+ blood type and a five-day supply for O- and B- blood types.
Type O is most commonly used in transfusions for trauma and emergency surgeries because anyone can receive their red blood cells. The O+ blood group is also in high demand due to its compatibility with any other positive red blood cells.
Spokesperson Delphine Denis points out that the continued illness and isolation requirements related to COVID-19, heat-related weather issues, and the return of pre-pandemic activities and summer travel that are causing many people have less time to donate are all contributing factors to the shortage.
There are 57,000 open appointments that need to be filled by the end of August across Canada, the agency says.