April 11, 2013
For immediate release
Toronto - Partners in Canada's blood system met with key stakeholders yesterday in Toronto to discuss the issue of paid plasma donations and the potential impact on Canada's blood system.
In response to recent public discussion, Health Canada invited key stakeholders to a round table discussion to share their views on this issue.
"Canada has one of the safest blood systems in the world. However, we recognized that in the midst of the confusion and controversy around paid plasma donation, it was critical to hear what our key stakeholders had to say," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "The security of our blood system is a top priority for Health Canada and its partners."
The discussion brought together representatives from patient advocacy groups, academia, the blood products industry, provincial and territorial governments, Canadian Blood Services, Héma-Québec, Health Canada and other relevant government departments.
"This meeting gave us the opportunity to hear from stakeholders so that we can respond to and clarify some of their concerns," said Minister Aglukkaq. "We will gather today's valuable feedback and use it to determine our next steps. As the many of the concerns relate directly to compensation of plasma donors and this is an area of provincial and territorial jurisdiction I will be communicating with my colleagues to share the concerns of stakeholders."
Canadians will be able to provide comments on the summary report of the round table discussion when it is posted on the Health Canada web site in the coming weeks.
The federal, provincial and territorial governments, along with Canada's blood operators (Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec) are all partners in safeguarding Canada's blood system - considered by the World Health Organization as having the highest standards.
More information on plasma collection in Canada is available on Health Canada's website.
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