Canada’s blood supply security not at risk

RE: Safety, not profits, should come first (Jan. 8)

This commentary erroneously implies that the integrity of Canada’s blood system is at risk. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In Canada, blood for transfusion is collected only from volunteer donors, while plasma used for blood products may be collected from compensated donors. This is not a new practice. For more than 30 years, paid and voluntary plasma collection have coexisted. In fact, about 70 per cent of the blood products used in Canada are made from compensated plasma donors, who are critical to ensuring a sufficient supply.

These products are extremely safe. Through strict regulations, screening and testing, Canada has not had a single case of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV transmitted by a plasma product in the last 25 years.

Health Canada maintains rigorous requirements for the licensing of plasma collection. The same standards apply regardless of who collects the plasma or whether the donors are paid. Our approach is based on the Krever recommendations and ensures that our blood and plasma products remain the safest in the world.

Protecting the safety and security of Canada’s blood supply has been, and will remain, Health Canada’s critical priority. Pierre Sabourin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada