Public health6 days ago · Oct 20, 2026ManitobaWinnipeg (WRHA)

Grifols resumes limited plasma collection at select Canadian centres following compliance pause

Grifols has begun a phased resumption of plasma collection at its 17 Canadian centres, starting with Winnipeg (Innovation Drive) and Edmonton, with fewer daily donor appointments that will grow over time. Collection was paused on Aug. 14 after Health Canada issued a non-compliance rating at its Winnipeg Taylor Avenue clinic, whose licence remains suspended. The pause followed CBC reporting that two people died after donating plasma at Winnipeg Grifols clinics in 2025 and 2026.

Winnipeg donors can book again, but the Taylor Avenue site stays closed until Health Canada is satisfied the company has fixed its compliance problems.

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News source: Grifols resumes limited plasma collection at select Canadian centres following compliance pause (opens in a new tab) — CBC News

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Health risks identified for patients cycling or stopping GLP-1 weight loss drugs

GLP-1 drugs were designed and tested for long-term treatment of diabetes and obesity, but growing numbers of people are using them off-label for short-term weight loss — microdosing, cycling on and off, or brief stints before weddings. A Danish study found roughly half of adults stopped semaglutide for obesity within 12 months. Experts warn stopping can lead to weight regain and worsened heart health and blood pressure, and mouse research found cycling made them less effective. No guidance exists yet on stopping safely; a 16-week Toronto trial is comparing tapering off with stopping abruptly.

Patients are asking frontline workers about GLP-1s for quick weight loss — this explains the risks of stopping and cycling, and that there is no safe way to quit yet.

News source: CBC News (opens in a new tab)

AlertPublic healthTodayCanada

Ebola outbreak reaches 9800 cases as regional travel restrictions tighten

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has passed 9,800 cases and 4,700 deaths since May, the deadliest in the country's history. A nurse was killed and a health worker severely injured on Saturday in Bafwasende while responding to an Ebola alert. A Ugandan-born Swiss woman, Nigeria's first case, was flown from Abuja to Switzerland on Monday; she is stable in Geneva, her husband is in isolation in Zurich, and Nigeria now has no cases. Kenya has nine cases, two fatal; Uganda now requires citizens returning from the DRC to quarantine 21 days at their own expense.

The deadliest Ebola outbreak in DRC history is now spreading across borders — frontline workers should know the travel and quarantine rules as cases reach Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.

News source: CBC News (opens in a new tab)+1 more source

Due in 19 daysPublic healthYesterdayCanada

Accel Pharma reports upcoming two-week shortage of ondansetron 8 mg tablets

Accel Pharma reports its ondansetron orally-disintegrating tablet 8 mg (ACCEL-ONDANSETRON ODT, DIN 02535327) faces an anticipated shortage from Nov 1 to Nov 15, 2026, caused by a shortage of an active ingredient.

Ondansetron is a widely used anti-nausea drug — pharmacies should check stock and alternatives before the anticipated shortage starts Nov 1.

Official source: Health Product Shortages Canada (opens in a new tab)