Last week, Friends of Medicare signed on to an open letter calling on Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq to consult with Canadians on the contentious issue of whether Health Canada should approve for-profit, paid-donation blood plasma clinics to operate. After the tainted blood scandals of the 1980s, and the recommendations to not accept paid donor blood and plasma that followed, we're concerned that the Minister is rushing to approve these clinics based on a business interest, not the best interests of Canadians. You can read the letter here to find out more about the potential risks to this change in policy and to see who else has signed on to the letter: http://www.canadiandoctorsformedicare.ca/an-open-letter-to-health-minister-leona-aglukkaq.html

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P.
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Dear Minister,

I am extremely concerned about the risks of opening paid donor plasma clinics in Canada, and urge you not to approve them. After the tainted blood scandals of the 1980s, our system has been committed to voluntary donations, and we should keep it that way.

We don’t know the full impact that these clinics will have on our voluntary system, and we don’t have any guarantee that the plasma donated will contribute to Canada’s supply. If more supply is needed, we should be aiming to increase voluntary blood plasma donations.

Sincerely,

 (your name)