Héma-Québec to Introduce Individualized Risk Assessment for Source Plasma

Héma-Québec will introduce individualized risk assessment for source plasma donation after Health Canada authorized a submission made by the organization last year. The authorization will enable Héma-Québec to move away from the current three-month plasma donor deferral period for all sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM).  
 
Beginning this fall, Héma-Québec will screen all source plasma donors, regardless of gender or sexuality, for high-risk sexual behaviors. MSM who have had the same sexual partner for the past three months will qualify to donate plasma if they meet the other selection criteria. Through this new eligibility approach, Héma-Québec also aims to collect supporting data that will make it possible to expand the revised donor eligibility process to blood and platelet donations. 

In a statement announcing the authorization, Health Canada stated that the agency is also reviewing a submission from Canadian Blood Services (CBS) to use sexual behavior screening for all blood and plasma donors instead of the current three-month donor deferral period for MSM. Some MSM in Canada can currently donate source plasma without a deferral period at CBS centers in Calgary, Alberta, and London, Ontario, as part of a pilot program.