Grifols pauses plasma collection at Canadian clinics after two donor deaths

Aug 13, 2026

Private plasma collector Grifols has temporarily paused operations at all 17 of its Canadian clinics following the deaths of two donors in Winnipeg and a formal non-compliance notice from Health Canada. While Health Canada found no direct link between the deaths and the donation process, inspections revealed systemic safety violations, including inadequate staff training and failure to respond to machine alarms. Grifols is working with regulators to address these deficiencies before reopening.

Grifols plasma collection pause

▪Grifols stated that it paused operations proactively and voluntarily due to what the company characterized as unfounded attention.
▪Grifols temporarily paused plasma collection at all 17 of its Canadian clinics starting on August 14, 2026.
▪Grifols plans to work with Health Canada and Canadian Blood Services during the pause to establish a framework for resuming operations.

Winnipeg donor deaths

▪Health Canada stated that its medical reviews found no link between the two Winnipeg donor deaths and the plasma donation process.
▪Rodiyat Alabede, a 22-year-old international student, died of cardiac arrest shortly after donating plasma at the Taylor Avenue Grifols clinic in Winnipeg on October 25, 2025.
▪Two plasma donors died after donating at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with one incident occurring in October 2025 and the other in January 2026.

Health Canada compliance violations

▪Health Canada inspections in the past year identified recurring deficiencies at Grifols sites, including improper donor screening, staffing shortages, and inadequate staff training.
▪A Health Canada report from an unannounced June 23, 2026, inspection at the Taylor Avenue clinic in Winnipeg detailed improper record-keeping and insufficient equipment maintenance.
▪Health Canada inspectors found in December 2025 that Grifols staff did not stop Rodiyat Alabede's donation after the machine displayed multiple blood pressure and blood flow alerts.
▪Health Canada issued a formal notice of non-compliance to Grifols on August 12, 2026, for failing to follow blood regulations.

Donor financial dependence

▪Grifols paid plasma donors up to C$100 per donation, allowing individuals to donate up to twice a week prior to the suspension.
▪Some regular donors at the Winnipeg Grifols clinic expressed that while the compensation helped with monthly expenses, the suspension would not cause them severe financial hardship.

Plasma donation safety procedures

▪Winnipeg cardiologist Dr. Justin Cloutier stated that plasma donation involves a large volume exchange of fluid that can place a unique stress on the heart.
▪Dr. Justin Cloutier recommended that clinics use extensive questionnaires and properly trained staff to identify donors with underlying heart conditions who are at higher risk.
▪Canadian Blood Services stated that the pause will allow Grifols to complete staff retraining as part of an ongoing comprehensive action plan to meet safety standards.