This article was originally published in the June 2024 edition of Héma-Québec’s Magazine. All issues of the Magazine are available here.

Héma-Québec expands its human tissue distribution mandate

Héma-Québec is something of an expert in human tissue products. For many years, it has collected, prepared and distributed the majority of human tissue products used in Québec hospitals. On December 2, 2024, Héma-Québec became the sole distributor of all human tissue products—products that are used daily to transform transplant patients’ lives.

Human tissue? What’s that?

Many people aren’t familiar with human tissue—a range of products that can include musculoskeletal tissue (cartilage, tendons, bones, etc.), cutaneous tissue (skin), corneas, heart valves and arteries. These tissues are harvested within 24 hours of the donor’s passing and can be frozen and cryopreserved for up to five years, except for corneas, which can only be preserved for up to 14 days.

Human tissue is crucial to the care that thousands of patients in Québec receive each year. That’s why it’s so important for Quebecers to give their consent to be donors. The easiest way to do so is by signing the sticker sent with your new health insurance card. Your donation alone has the power to change the lives of more than 20 other people!

Lots of benefits

Héma-Québec was already the primary human tissue distributor in Québec. This move makes it now responsible for fulfilling all human tissue requests from Québec hospitals, which could until then purchase human tissue directly from the supplier. But this system has led to certain issues, as Amaury Doger de Speville, director of human tissue supply strategies, explains:

“Until this new mandate, hospitals didn’t have equal access to the more sensitive transplant products, as there was a limited supply. By channeling all tissue requests through Héma-Québec, we are now able to provide all hospitals with a more consistent supply of transplants, which will ultimately benefit the patients.”

As per the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux’s decision, all human tissue distribution are now centralized under Héma-Québec, which is a sort of one-stop shop for sourcing human tissue. Héma-Québec continues to harvest tissue and manage the Human Tissue Bank, while also being the heath care system’s sole go-between with tissue suppliers. This new strategic direction means better product traceability and improved efficiency in meeting human tissue needs—a huge benefit for all patients.

“Héma-Québec has many strengths, first and foremost its extremely rigorous procurement capabilities,” says Étienne Fissette, director of human tissue operations. “That’s what sets us apart in every area of our work. In a way, by taking over the reins of human tissue procurement, we are providing hospitals with a service so that they can focus on what they are best at. Plus, in joining forces, we’re increasing Québec’s purchasing power.”

“Héma-Québec’s scrupulous attention to detail will also lead to improved quality supervision,” adds Amaury Doger de Speville. “This is a key part of procurement. Héma-Québec is here to ensure that these products comply with Canadian regulations—and the real winners in all this will be the patients.”

Starting the transition strong

This exclusive distributor mandate will transform the day-to-day work of health care system stakeholders, particularly transplant doctors and hospital administrators. That’s why Héma-Québec took proactive measures for several months now to educate its partners about the coming changes, paving the way for a smooth transition.

“When the countdown had officially started, we took all the necessary precautions at every level to keep things running smoothly during the transition,” says Dr. Marc Germain, Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Innovation. “The goal was to maintain a safe, adequate supply of human tissue in Québec at all times. Héma-Québec asked all stakeholders involved in the process for their help ensuring a successful transition so that it could continue to efficiently meet the needs of medical teams.”

Stakeholders were identified and informed of when key changes would occur, how existing contracts would be transitioned and how the new model would work to ensure everyone is ready for the big change. Héma-Québec and its partners want to ensure patient safety and wellness above all else, which is why they have planned every step of this transition to avoid any disruptions to the distribution chain. This isn’t Héma-Québec’s first rodeo, after all!