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Canadians who contracted HIV and
hepatitis C virus through tainted blood transfusions during the 1980s and the
victims’ families are protesting the proposed licensing of three private plasma
clinics in Toronto. The clinics’ opponents fear another “tainted blood tragedy”
if the federal and Ontario governments allow the clinics to offer payment for
plasma.
Activist Michael McCarthy, who
received a contaminated transfusion in the 1980s, urged Health Canada to hold
open meetings regarding the clinic licensing and asked the province to pass
legislation prohibiting payments for blood. Ontario Health Minister Deb
Matthews requested that Health Canada delay approval until she could consult
with other provinces. Health Canada Spokesperson Steve Outhouse stated that
Health Canada has consulted with tainted blood stakeholders and will open the
consultations for public comment. Health Canada also has planned public
hearings, but the provinces will make the final decision about payment for
plasma, according to Outhouse.
Matthews affirmed that plasma
contains proteins that hospitals and pharmaceutical companies buy for disease
treatment. Cangene, a Winnipeg-based drug company, has been licensed for
decades to buy plasma used in manufacturing products.
Justice Horace Krever’s four-year
inquiry into the tainted blood tragedy, from1993 to 1997, resulted in 50
recommendations, including stricter rules and no-fault compensation for
victims.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
