Grifols, the only private plasma donation chain in Canada with 17 clinics, has paused collections after two donors died following donations in October 2025 and January 2026, both in Manitoba. Health Canada issued the company a formal notice of non-compliance the same day Grifols announced the pause, and inspection reports found inadequate staff training, poor record-keeping, and failures to stop collection when alarms sounded.
One of the deceased donors, 22-year-old Rodiyat Alabede, died of cardiac arrest after donating in Winnipeg in October; Health Canada says it found no link to the donation, but patient advocates cite discrepancies between the autopsy and the agency's own medical summary and are calling for a new inquest. Grifols paid donors up to C$100 per visit and says the pause is voluntary and unrelated to any admission of fault.
Manitoba is one of the provinces that permits paid plasma donation, unlike British Columbia and Quebec. Health Canada says the pause will not affect the safety of the national blood and plasma supply.
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