Collecting Canadian Plasma to help patients in Canada

Plasma is a life-saving component used in critical therapies worldwide, and ensuring a reliable plasma supply in Canada is more important than ever. Grifols is working to help collect more plasma and manufacture life-saving plasma therapies in Canada. Through a special agreement with Canadian Blood Services, the country’s national blood operator, Grifols is collecting Canadian plasma and manufacturing it into immunoglobulin therapeutics exclusively for Canadian Blood Services. This initiative contributes directly to domestic-sufficiency in Canada, helping to reduce immunoglobulin imports and protect patients in Canada who need them.

Help Canadians in need of plasma-derived medicines. Find a plasma donation centre near you and book your first visit today. 

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Why Plasma Immunoglobulins Matter in Canada

Plasma is the liquid component of blood that contains essential elements such as nutrients, antibodies, water and plasma proteins that help the body function. Without enough of any of these proteins, a person could have or develop a chronic or life-threatening illness. Plasma donations are essential in helping make plasma-derived medications and therapies.

Donating plasma in Canada helps ensure that patients have access to immunoglobulin (Ig) therapies. Ig therapies are essential to treat rare immune disorders and infections. The importance of immunoglobulin is growing rapidly, with Canadian demand for Ig therapies increasing by an average of 5–8% annually¹. Despite this, the majority of immunoglobulin medicines used in Canada are imported, highlighting the need to improve self-sufficiency in Canada.

Grifols is collecting plasma in Canada to manufacture immunoglobulin medicines exclusively for patients in Canada. By donating at Grifols plasma donation centres, now operating in 17 locations across the country, you can help boost the domestic supply of immunoglobulins for patients in your community and across the country. 

References

  1. Plasma and Immunoglobulin Security of Supply: Risk-Based Decision Making Analysis 2022, Canadian Blood Services, page 11 section 5.1 
  2. Plasma and Immunoglobulin Security of Supply: Risk-Based Decision Making Analysis 2022, Canadian Blood Services page 4 section 2.3 

What conditions can immunoglobulin medicines treat?

Immunoglobulin medicines are used in the treatment of a variety of conditions. Three of the most common include:

  • Primary immunodeficiency (PIDD) - An estimated 29,000 Canadians live with PIDD*, a group of over 400 rare and chronic genetic disorders in which the immune system is impaired, absent, or malfunctioning. This leads to a reduced ability to fight infections, making plasma-derived immunoglobulin critical for long-term care and quality of life, estimated by Immunodeficiency Canada.
  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – GBS is an acute inflammatory disorder that affects the nerves, causing sudden muscle weakness and in severe cases, temporary paralysis. Immunoglobulin therapy helps regulate the immune attack, often improving recovery times and long-term health outcomes.
  • Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) – A rare neurological condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerves. Symptoms include weakness, numbness, and impaired mobility. Plasma-derived Ig treatments can significantly reduce inflammation and improve nerve function. CIDP affects an estimated 450,000 people worldwide.

Donors play a crucial role in producing these life-saving plasma therapies and improving the lives of fellow Canadians in need.  

 

Support plasma donations in Canada and change Canadian lives.

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Benefits of Donating Plasma

Donating plasma in Canada is more than a generous act — it also offers a range of personal and societal benefits. By becoming a plasma donor, you’re helping improve community health, support the creation of plasma-derived therapies, and contribute to self-sufficiency in immunoglobulin across the country. Here’s how plasma donation benefits you and the wider Canadian population.

Rewarding Impact

Knowing that your contribution helps create life-changing plasma-derived immunoglobulin therapies for people with serious conditions like PIDD, GBS, and CIDP is a great feeling to have. By Donating plasma, you’re helping Canadian patients have a healthier tomorrow.

Financial Compensation

In Canada, Grifols recognizes donors for their time and commitment. We provide an honorarium that helps cover time and expenses. To learn more please visit a centre near you.

Contribution to Public Health

Every donation contributes to supporting Canadian patients in need of critical treatments. By helping produce immunoglobulin medicines, you’re playing a part in helping Canadian patients nationwide. Your act of generosity directly enhances patient outcomes and reduces the need to import these medicines. 

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Benefits for the Community

Choosing to donate plasma in Canada has wide-reaching effects that go beyond individual patients. Your donation supports the development of plasma-derived therapies, reinforces domestic sufficiency, and promotes community health.

Reduced Dependence on Imports

One of the most important community benefits of increasing domestic plasma donation is reducing Canada’s reliance on other countries for needed immunoglobulin medicines. By boosting domestic plasma collections, Canada minimizes the risks tied to international supply chain issues, such as shortages or shipping delays. This is critical for improving immunoglobulin self-sufficiency in Canada and ensuring a sustainable supply of essential medicines for the long term.

FAQs: Plasma Supplies and Therapies in Canada

In 2022, Grifols and Canadian Blood Services entered into a strategic agreement to help Canada accelerate plasma collection and increase its self-sufficiency in immunoglobulins in the shortest time possible. Through this effort, we have established a network of plasma donation centres and the country’s only commercial plasma manufacturing site, creating an in-country plasma supply chain to benefit patients in Canada.

The Grifols-CBS collaboration expands Canada’s national plasma collections to support quality plasma-derived medicines and will establish the country's first domestic end-to-end supply chain for immunoglobulins.

Donors receive incentives, such as recognition programs or referral bonuses, may be rolled out as part of the national plasma campaign.

Local businesses and community groups can partner with Grifols for social impact initiatives or outreach campaigns. Contact the Grifols Canada partnerships team via the “Contact Us” section to explore collaboration opportunities.

Patient needs vary by indication and dosage. Approximately 290 donations are needed to treat an adult living with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) for one year. About 130 donations are needed to treat an adult with immune deficiency for a year. 

Grifols takes pride in being a trusted community partner and giving back in the areas where we operate. Like small community-based businesses, Grifols plasma donation centres help strengthen local communities through employment, charitable contributions, events, and a variety of outreach activities.

Take the first step. Find a donation centre, check your eligibility, and contribute to a healthier Canada.

Find a Plasma Donation Centre

Easily locate a certified Grifols plasma donation centre near you. Book your appointment online andcheck opening hours.

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