NDP Voluntary Blood Donation bill would ban for-profit collection centres in Nova Scotia

Province singled out as target market by Canadian Plasma Resources

HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia NDP Caucus presented evidence today in the legislature supporting the need to ban for-profit blood collection centres.

NDP Health and Wellness spokesperson Tammy Martin introduced a private member’s bill yesterday to create a Voluntary Blood Donation Act for Nova Scotia.

“We need legislation that bans paid plasma donation,” said Martin. “If there is no legislation restricting the practice, a provider could easily set up shop in Nova Scotia as they have in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick."

According to new documents, that were tabled during Question Period by Martin, Canadian Plasma Resources singled out Nova Scotia as a target market in its 2016-2017 business plan which was obtained through a federal Freedom of Information request. Only four countries allow donors to be paid for blood and plasma. Other parts of Canada have already taken steps to safeguard against for-profit centres in their provinces.

“Pay-for-plasma shops represent a serious threat to our public plasma supply,” said Martin. “We want to make sure blood and plasma collected in Canada is safely available for Canadian patients who need it, when they need it.”

Background documents collected through the Freedom of Information request are available from the NDP Caucus office.

Bill No.37, the Voluntary Blood Donation Act can be read here: http://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/63rd_1st/1st_read/b037.htm