Three individuals in Canada, all situated in Manitoba, have passed away following plasma donations in the past ten years, according to Health Canada. The disclosure follows an investigation by CBC News that revealed two of these fatalities were reported to the federal regulator within a span of four months — one in October 2025 and the other on January 30, 2026. The timing of the third death was not disclosed by Health Canada.
All facilities collecting plasma are required to notify the federal regulator if a donor experiences a severe reaction during or within 72 hours after donation. One of the deceased individuals was identified as Rodiyat Alabede, aged 22, who tragically passed away on October 25 after donating plasma at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre on Taylor Avenue. The circumstances surrounding the recent death in Winnipeg remain largely unknown, except that it occurred in January after plasma donation at Grifols’ alternative site on Innovation Drive.
In response to a request from CBC, all fatal adverse reactions from January 1, 2016, onwards were sought. Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, a Manitoba hematologist specializing in blood disorders, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the concentration of these deaths in Manitoba. He stressed the rarity of deaths following plasma donation, underscoring the importance of scrutinizing protocols, training, oversight, and donor selection.
Grifols, a company based in Spain that focuses on plasma medicines, operates multiple plasma collection centers in Canada. Following an internal review, the company stated that there is currently no apparent link between the donors’ deaths and plasma donation. Health Canada relayed that an evaluation regarding the recent deaths is ongoing, with no established connection between plasma collection and the fatalities.
In light of the recent incidents, Grifols introduced a policy change stating that individuals must have a minimum 48-hour gap between consecutive donations, effective March 9. Previously, Health Canada’s policy from 2019 allowed two donations within a seven-day period with at least a two-day interval between donations. Recent inspections revealed instances of plasma collection occurring less than 48 hours apart, prompting Health Canada to clarify the necessity for a strict 48-hour interval between donations. This clarification was subsequently posted on Grifols’ website following communication with Health Canada. The specific location of the inspection was not disclosed.
