For years, Ottawa instructor Stéphane Cliche was healthy and active, but he kept getting sick with sinus and lung infections. Doctors later discovered why: after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2016, tests showed his immune system wasn’t working properly. He now relies on regular immunoglobulin injections — medicines made from donated blood plasma — to stay healthy and keep working.
Cliche is one of thousands of Canadians who depend on immunoglobulin. Demand for the drug is growing every year, but about 70 per cent of Canada’s supply comes from outside the country, mostly the United States. While there is no shortage right now, Canadian Blood Services says rising demand and global uncertainty could put supplies at risk.
To reduce that risk, Canadian Blood Services wants Canada to produce at least half of the immunoglobulin used by patients here. That means collecting more plasma from Canadian donors and manufacturing the medicine in Canada. The organization has partnered with pharmaceutical company Grifols, which is building a plasma drug facility in Montreal expected to be fully operating by 2027.
Officials say the plan also depends on more people donating plasma. Plasma donation is similar to giving blood but takes about an hour, and people can donate more often. Canadian Blood Services is urging more eligible Canadians to donate so patients like Cliche can continue to live healthy, normal lives.
