On November 16, 2023. Several representatives from the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) attended the Quebec Biovigilance Committee’s 8th Biovigilance Forum in Quebec City.
This year’s forum focused on the remuneration of human plasma donors. (At present, Quebec does not allow remuneration of plasma donors.)
Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions on how to improve plasma donation in Quebec to increase patient access to immune globulins, which cannot be manufactured without plasma. Those in attendance were also provided presentations on plasma donation policies in the United States and Europe – entities that include some form of compensation and/or remuneration. Additional presentations noted a change in Quebec policy may be needed to meet the clinical need of patients in Quebec who rely on immunoglobulins to treat rare and chronic conditions such as primary immune deficiencies and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).
“PPTA appreciated Hema-Quebec’s invitation to attend this important forum. We were honored to be among the many stakeholders including doctors and patients focused on improving patient access to immunoglobulins in Quebec,” said Anita Brikman, PPTA President and CEO. “This meeting served as a valuable platform for dialogues around patient access to vital plasma-derived therapies and next steps for plasma donation in Quebec. We look forwarded to continuing our role in this collaborative effort for the betterment of patient access to care.”