Statements & Reports

Canadian Blood Services' statement regarding the decision on the policy of deferring any male from donating blood if he has had sex with another male

June 21, 2007

Today, Canadian Blood Services announced its decision on the policy of indefinitely deferring any male from donating blood if he has had sex with another male, even once, since 1977 (MSM). The announcement came at an open board meeting held in Ottawa.

Background: The MSM deferral policy is part of our screening procedures that are designed to identify a variety of behaviours and circumstances known to increase risk to the safety of the blood supply. As another example, we also indefinitely defer individuals from giving blood that have spent more than three months in the United Kingdom or France between 1980 and 1996, due to the increased risk of potential exposure to vCJD.

Since the MSM deferral policy was implemented, there have been improvements in testing as well as evolving science and technology. In addition, a number of blood operators have made changes to their MSM deferral policies. As part of Canadian Blood Services' commitment to ensuring our policies and procedures remain in the best interest of Canadians, we took steps to review our policy.

The review process began with a literature review, analysis of surveillance data and assessment of international MSM policies. Next, the Board of Directors commissioned the McLaughlin Centre for Population Health at the University of Ottawa to undertake an independent risk assessment of the current policy.

Following the independent risk assessment, we initiated a comprehensive consultation process to involve Canadians in the decision-making on this issue. The consultations involved gathering the insights, through facilitated sessions, of key stakeholder and high interest groups such as student associations, gay rights activists, healthcare professionals and patient advocates to provide to the Board of Directors.

Decision: After careful consideration, the Board of Directors has determined that Canadian Blood Services will maintain the current policy while actively gathering knowledge to close the gaps in information that were identified through the risk assessment and the consultations. As such, we will take steps to better understand emerging pathogens, examine the risks and benefits of behavioural-based questions and monitor the experiences of blood agencies that have modified or changed their MSM deferral policies.

The Board recognizes that this is an important issue and for this reason we need to assess potential solutions that will address both the safety of the blood supply and the concerns about discrimination. As we work towards the best decision for Canadians, we remain committed to informing and involving stakeholders in the process.

Special Note: Canadian Blood Services would like to thank the stakeholders whose participation in the consultations provided valuable knowledge, information and insights into the decision-making on this issue.

Questions and Answers MSM Policy Decision