B.C. joins 3 other provinces in banning payment for blood and plasma

Payment for blood and plasma would be prohibited in British Columbia under legislation introduced today.

There are no clinics in B.C. that pay people for blood but the legislation is meant to prevent any from opening.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says people who donate through Canadian Blood Services help save lives.

Similar laws exist in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec but B.C.'s Ministry of Health says private organizations elsewhere in Canada pay donors for plasma and sell it on the global market.

Dr. Graham D. Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services, says he's pleased to see B.C.'s support for the national blood-supply system.

The health ministry says people who violate the law would be fined up to $10,000 for a first offence, and companies would pay $100,000 for a first offence and $500,000 for each subsequent contravention of the law.