Alberta bill proposes ban on for-profit plasma clinics
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Private clinic that pays donors for plasma operating in Saskatoon for a year
CBC News Posted: Mar 13, 2017 3:00 PM MT| Last Updated: Mar 13, 2017 4:30 PM MT
The Alberta government introduced legislation Monday to ban private, for-profit clinics that pay people for plasma donations.
Alberta doesn't have any private plasma clinics but the government says it is only a matter of time before the industry looks to this province.
"Blood should not go to the highest bidder," said Health Minister Sarah Hoffman. "It should go to the patient who needs that blood the most."
Canadian Plasma Resources has been operating in Saskatoon for a year and the Alberta government believes the company intends to expand across Canada.
Officials say the paid plasma clinic in Saskatoon has discouraged people from voluntarily giving blood.
That has created worries about what will happen to the Canadian blood supply if private plasma clinics expand across the country.
Private companies are under no obligation to keep their plasma in Canada and can sell their supply to the international market.
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