Ontario seeing red over blood plasma clinics
TORONTO - Ontario is raising concerns about three new clinics that would pay people to give blood plasma.
Health Minister Deb Matthews is asking her federal counterpart to hold off on approving such clinics until Health Canada has consulted with the provinces and other groups.
In her letter to federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Matthews says the integrity of Canada's volunteer blood donor system must not be compromised.
Matthews raised the issue after finding out that a company is setting up three paid-donor blood plasma clinics in Toronto and Hamilton.
On its website, Canadian Plasma Resources says it will pay for people to give blood, including payment through direct deposit.
It says donations from high-school students can also count towards their volunteer hours.
Plasma is a component of blood that contains many proteins and can be used to treat diseases.
