Province bids to ban payments for blood and plasma

Province bids to ban payments for blood and plasma
CHEK

File Photo.

File Photo.

The province is trying to stop organizations from opening in B.C. that pay people for blood or plasma under legislation introduced Thursday.

Health Minister Adrian Dix introduced the Voluntary Blood Donations Act, which would prohibit payment for blood and plasma.

Dix said the voluntary blood donation system helps to save lives and the act will keep those donations within the province and Canada.

The province says the legislation is in line with similar laws in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec and will prevent private, for-profit organizations from opening in B.C.

There are no clinics in the province where people are paid for blood and plasma, but there are elsewhere in the country where plasma is bought and then sold on the global market.

Individual violators will be fined up to $10,000 for a first offence and up to $50,000 for each subsequent offence.

For companies, a fine starts at up to $100,00 for the first time breaking the law, and a maximum of $500,000 if caught again selling blood and plasma.

Andy NealAndy Neal

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