Question Period Note: BLOOD DONOR DEFERRAL POLICY AND RELATED RESEARCH – MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN (MSM)

On April 30, 2019, Health Canada issued regulatory authorizations to Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Héma-Québec (HQ) to change their blood donor deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) from one year to three months. This regulatory decision came as a result of proposals submitted by both CBS and HQ to Health Canada and was based on the latest scientific evidence. CBS and HQ implemented this policy on June 3, 2019.

In June 2016, the Government allocated $3.0 million for research to strengthen the evidence base supporting a non-discriminatory approach to blood donations. Results of several of these research projects have been published, while others are expected to be available between now and winter 2020 to inform potential future changes to blood donation policies.

To continue to support a safe and non-discriminatory approach to blood donation, Budget 2019 proposed to provide $2.4 million over three years, starting in 2019–20, for additional research specific to reducing barriers to the donation of blood plasma.

Canada’s blood system is internationally recognized for its high safety standards. It is, and will continue to be, one of the safest blood systems in the world.

• When will the government eliminate the blood donor deferral for gay men?

KEY MESSAGES

• Canada has one of the safest blood systems in the world.

• I’m proud that our government further reduced barriers preventing men who have sex with men from donating blood by:

o authorizing Canadian Blood Services’ and Héma-Québec’s proposals to reduce the deferral period for donation from five years to 3 months;

o committing $3 million to Canadian Blood Services, in collaboration with Héma-Québec, to further advance research on this issue, and

o providing a further $2.4 million over three years, starting in 2019–20, for additional research specific to reducing barriers to the donation of plasma.

• The Department remains open to assessing future changes to the MSM donor deferral policy, including its elimination, provided that submissions are received from the blood operators and are supported by scientific evidence.

IF PRESSED…

• Health Canada’s approval of the change in no way compromises the safety or quality of Canada’s blood supply.

• There is no international scientific consensus regarding donor deferral periods for MSM. Health Canada is aware that certain jurisdictions have adopted policies based on the recent sexual history of the donor while not having MSM-specific deferral periods.

• This change is in line with other jurisdictions that have implemented a three-month deferral period for MSM: England, Scotland and Wales.

If pressed on the Karas’ Human Rights complaint:

• This matter is presently before the court and further details of Canada’s legal position will be provided to the court.

• In Canada: There are no regulations prohibiting MSM and other groups from donating blood. Donor deferrals are policy decisions of the blood operators. However, under Canada's Blood Regulations, CBS and HQ are required to make submissions to HC for any changes to their processes. HC must evaluate and authorize any changes before they can be implemented. HC has no authority to mandate that a donor screening criterion be changed due to perceived discriminatory aspects.

• The first MSM deferral in 1984 prohibited a man who had engaged in sex with another man even once since 1977 from donating blood. On May 22, 2013, HC authorized a request from CBS and HQ to change its MSM deferral criteria to a five-year deferral period and on June 16, 2016 HC authorized subsequent proposals from CBS and HQ, to change the blood donor deferral period for MSM from a five-year to a one- year deferral period. On April 30, 2019 HC authorized a submission from CBS and HQ to further reduce the MSM deferral period to three-months.

• Over the past six years, the MSM blood donor deferral period in Canada changed from a lifetime restriction to a three-month waiting period. At no time was the safety of Canada’s blood system compromised. There has not been a single known case of HIV infection from blood transfusion in Canada in 25 years.

• In June 2016, the Government allocated $3.0 million for research to strengthen the evidence base supporting a non-discriminatory approach to blood donations. Results of these research projects are expected to be available between now and the winter of 2020 to inform future changes to blood donation policies. To continue to support a safe and non-discriminatory approach to blood donation, Budget 2019 proposes to provide $2.4 million over three years, starting in 2019–20, for additional research specific to reducing barriers to the donation of blood plasma.

International trends:
• There is no international scientific consensus regarding donor deferral periods for MSM. Some countries, such as Austria and the Ukraine, maintain indefinite deferral periods, while other countries, including the United States, Australia and France, have one-year deferral periods. In November 2017, a 3 month deferral was adopted by England, Scotland and Wales. Some countries, such as Spain and Italy, do not have MSM-specific deferral periods. For example, in Italy the donor screening includes a face-to-face interview in a private and confidential location by a trained physician who is responsible for donor selection.

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