Health minister defends private plasma donor clinic in Sask.

HEALTH

Health minister defends private plasma donor clinic in Sask.

The Canadian Press Published Thursday, February 18, 2016 5:13PM EST

Is cash for plasma a good idea for Ontario?

A staff member holds a bag of plasma, the yellow liquid left over when red blood cells are removed from our blood, which is often used to treat immune disorders.

Text:

SASKATOON -- Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott is fending off calls to close a private, for-profit plasma donor clinic in Saskatchewan by saying Canada has one of the safest blood systems in the world.

Canadian Plasma Resources in Saskatoon has officially opened its door and plans to pay people with $25 gift cards for making donations.

Philpott said in question period that the government has examined the issue in great detail and is using science to make sure there are no compromises to the blood system.

Canadian Plasma Resources will be inspected by Health Canada and has to comply with national regulations, including donor screening and testing.

Saskatchewan Health Minister Dustin Duncan, who was at the clinic's opening today, says 80 per cent of plasma used in Canada currently comes from paid donors in the United States and Europe.

The federal NDP, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour have called for a ban on such clinics.