Health Canada, the country’s regulatory authority, announced this week that it has “authorized a submission from Héma-Québec to implement a more inclusive approach to blood donor screening.” According to a news release from the agency, the new approach “eliminates the current three-month blanket donor deferral period for all [sexually active gay and bisexual men], and instead screens all donors, regardless of gender or sexuality, for high-risk sexual behavi[o]r.” Nathalie Fagnan, CPA, CA, president and chief executive officer of Héma-Québec, stated in a news release, “[t]his new, more inclusive approach will place Héma-Québec among the leaders on the international stage in its field of activity. A more inclusive approach that respects the safety of the products transfused to those who need them is also in line with our commitments to social responsibility. It is consistent with the actions we have taken since 2013, with the approval of Health Canada, for [sexually active gay and bisexual men]. Making this humanitarian gesture even more inclusive and accessible to a greater number of people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, is an important step forward.”
