Ordering human tissues

Since 2001, Héma-Québec has managed Canada’s largest human tissue bank, which is also the only human tissue bank in Québec. Héma-Québec collects and processes human tissues from Québec donors for distribution to hospitals in the province’s health care network for transplant purposes.

Sole distributor of human tissues

In 2021, Québec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) granted Héma-Québec the mandate of sole distributor of human tissues to institutions in the province’s health care network. This decision was based on a recommendation from the Biovigilance Committee.  

Since December 2024, Héma-Québec has been meeting all of the province’s hospital centres’ human tissue needs.  

To fulfill this mandate, Héma-Québec formed a group of expert advisors to identify the specific needs of the health care network and determine which products to prioritize. Their input enabled us to compile a comprehensive inventory of human tissues used in Québec hospitals to ensure that we can meet all of the province’s needs.  

Suppliers were selected through supply agreements that comply with our procurement policy. Our quality assurance team audits and qualifies the selected suppliers to ensure the compliance and robustness of their quality systems.  

This change is part of the reform being implemented by the MSSS to facilitate access to a safe, resilient, agile, and efficient healthcare network. The ministry has chosen to surround itself with stakeholders who have the ability and willingness to contribute to positive changes, implemented for and by Quebecers.

This centralization simplifies supply management, ensuring a better response to the needs of hospitals, greater safety for patients, and improved traceability of human tissues and their use.    

Héma-Québec is proud to carry out this important mandate, which helps to support its position as a strategic partner of the health and social services network (RSSS) and to act as a key player in the health of Québec’s population.