The Introduction of Paid Plasma in Canada and the U.S. Has Not Decreased Unpaid Blood Donations

The Introduction of Paid Plasma in Canada and the U.S. Has Not Decreased Unpaid Blood Donations

Most countries prohibit compensation for plasma donations, and Canada continues to consider a ban. Foremost among reasons for prohibition is the worry that compensated plasma will decrease uncompensated blood donations. Using difference-in-differences analysis of data containing plasma and blood donations in Canada spanning a period in which the country’s only three paid-plasma centers began operating, we examine whether the introduction of paid-plasma decreased blood donations overall and among young donors. We find no evidence of a decrease but rather a small increase. We replicate this finding in U.S. cities that experienced the introduction of paid-plasma over a similar time period.