Bill 204: Voluntary Blood Donation Repeal Act has been passed in the Alberta Legislature. CIPO has released the following statement:
“The Canadian Immunodeficiencies Patient Organization (CIPO) supports the outcome of Bill 204, the Voluntary Blood Act Repeal Bill in Alberta, and the efforts to promote plasma collection and donation both in Alberta and across Canada.
CIPO represents members in Alberta and across Canada who have a life-sustaining need in plasma derived medicinal products (PDMPs), most urgently immunoglobulin therapy (IG). IG usuage is steadily rising in Canada at a rate of 10% year over year. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, plasma donations have dropped dramatically globally, putting future supply in question, which puts patient’s lives at risk.
As over 85% of Canada’s plasma needs are purchased from the US, Canada needs Canadian plasma donors and urgently needs to contribute to the plasma supply. We believe that Bill 204 is a step in the right direction.
The Canadian Immunodeficiencies Patient Organization (CIPO) is the only patient organization in Canada dedicated to serving those affected by primary immunodeficiency (PI). A registered charity since 1997, CIPO works on behalf of the thousands of Canadians and their families living with PI. Over the last two decades CIPO has offered education, support and advocacy through programs and services. Increasing earlier diagnosis rates in patients, improving patient outcomes, general health and access to treatment remain at the core of CIPO’s work.”