Health Committee on March 26th, 2026

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Thank you.

News media reports, including in Toronto, document that several Grifols locations in Regina, Calgary and Oakville were found to be non-compliant with Health Canada regulations. Were all these regulatory non-compliances remediated?

[Mary Hughes]

We operate in a highly regulated environment. We have an excellent track record across our 390 centres.

With regard to the recent inspections by Health Canada, we have submitted and implemented comprehensive corrective action plans.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

I'm sorry, Ms. Hughes. I'm looking for a yes or no.

Have the regulatory non-compliances that were reported by Health Canada been remediated?

[Mary Hughes]

Yes, those findings have been remediated. We continue to co-operate fully with Health Canada to reinforce overall compliance.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

I'm a practising physician. The principle of informed consent is fundamental to my practice.

Are folks who donate at a Grifols Plasma Donation Centre informed of a potential risk of death when they donate?

[Mary Hughes]

Madam Chair, yes.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

When somebody donates, are they informed that some of the donation they give may be packaged and sold for profit overseas?

[Mary Hughes]

When donors consent, they are informed that the plasma collected is intended for plasma-derived medicines for Canadian Blood Services.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

They are not informed, then, that some of what they donate may be sold for profit overseas.

[Mary Hughes]

To clarify, we collect plasma on behalf of and for the benefit of Canadian Blood Services, to be manufactured in Canada with immunoglobulins exclusively for the benefit of Canadians in this country.

With the manufacturing process, we have—

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

With respect, it sounds like a no. If I go donate, some of the albumin from my body will wind up overseas, to be sold for profit, and I won't be informed of this.

[Mary Hughes]

Madam Chair, that's incorrect. If you donate in Canada, the needs of Canadians are met first. All of the albumin needs for Canadians are met in this country. The oversupply can either be thrown away or be used to benefit patients outside the country.

Once again, I'll be clear that all the needs of Canadians are met in this country.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

I don't think what I said was incorrect, but thank you for explaining that again.

If I donate at a Grifols plasma centre in Canada, is any part of what I donate processed in the U.S.A.?

[Mary Hughes]

Today we are working on having our Montreal domestic facility finished and available to process medicines in this country. During the transition period, we're processing at a Clayton, North Carolina, facility, which is the same facility we've been using to provide plasma-derived medicines for Canadians for more than 20 years.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

Am I to understand that, if my donation goes to the North Carolina facility for processing, it's kept totally separate from all the American donations so that 100% of it returns to Canada?

[Mary Hughes]

Madam Chair, yes.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

When I donate at a Grifols plasma centre, who is technically responsible for the operation of the machine? Is this person a licensed health professional, and if so, what sort of licensure do they have?

[Mary Hughes]

I'm sorry. Can you repeat the question?

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

What sort of health professional oversees the donation and hooks me up to the plasma-donation machine?

[Mary Hughes]

All operations and procedures within our plasma centres are regulated by Health Canada. This regulatory authority is also responsible for Canadian Blood Services centres.

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

What sort of licensed health professional performs that? I'm sorry if I missed it. Is it a nurse or a doctor who hooks me up to a machine when I attend for my donation?

[Mary Hughes]

I can take the question and provide a written response—

[Matt Strauss, Conservative, Kitchener South—Hespeler, ON]

You've explained that it is only albumin that would leave the country. Is Grifols currently party to any sort of agreement or undertaking to ensure that this remains the case in perpetuity?

[Mary Hughes]

We have an agreement with Canadian Blood Services. There are confidentiality terms in the agreement. I cannot speak to the confidentiality of the agreement.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you. The time is up.

I now go to Mr. Eyolfson for the Liberals. You have six minutes, Doug.