Winnipeg – Spanish biopharma company Grifols told Reuters that Health Canada’s decision to suspend the licence for its Taylor Avenue plasma‑collection centre will not disrupt its overall operations in Canada. The regulator acted after a donor’s death raised concerns about the facility’s quality‑management system, according to the Globe and Mail.
Grifols emphasized that donor safety, patient safety and the quality of plasma have never been compromised at the Taylor Avenue site or any of its other Canadian centres. “At no point has the safety of donors, patients or the quality and safety of plasma collected at the Taylor Avenue centre, or any of our other Canadian centres been compromised,” the company said in a statement.
Voluntary suspension and re‑opening plan
The company noted that it had already voluntarily stopped plasma collection at the Winnipeg location before Health Canada’s formal action, meaning the suspension does not change the status quo. Grifols is working closely with the regulator on a plan to resume operations once the identified deficiencies are addressed.
Earlier this year, CBC News reported that two individuals died after donating plasma at Grifols clinics in Winnipeg, including the Taylor Avenue centre, in October 2025 and January 2026. Grifols said those tragic incidents prompted a thorough review of its processes.
Ownership and control
While Grifols remains the majority shareholder of Canada Plasma Inc., it explained that previous governance arrangements limited its ability to direct day‑to‑day operations. After assuming effective control of the business and identifying quality‑system gaps at several donation sites, Grifols accelerated the purchase of the remaining ownership stake to take full management control.
Since halting collection at the Taylor Avenue facility, the company has conducted a comprehensive review across all Canadian centres. This includes staff retraining, enhancements to standard operating procedures and upgrades to quality‑management systems to ensure compliance with Health Canada’s expectations.
Looking ahead
Grifols expressed confidence that the corrective actions will satisfy regulators and allow the Winnipeg centre to reopen safely. The company’s proactive steps reflect its commitment to maintaining high standards for plasma collection, a critical component of life‑saving therapies worldwide.
Health Canada has not yet set a timeline for reinstating the licence, but Grifols indicated that it will keep donors and patients informed as the re‑opening plan progresses.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
