Plasma is collected from a donor into a collection bag at a Canadian Blood Services location in Scarborough, April 16, 2026.EDUARDO LIMA/The Globe and Mail
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Getting paid for plasma – the yellow-gold liquid part of blood – in Canada is still pretty new. It’s full of protein and antibodies and can be used to make medicine for immunodefficient people. But following the deaths of two plasma donors, the practice is facing criticism and concerns are being raised about its safety.
Chris Hannay is a business of healthcare reporter for The Globe. He’s on the show today to discuss how plasma collection works in Canada, what he’s learned from his experience donating, and how the growing practice of paid plasma is regulated.
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