Liquid gold: paying plasma donors, saving lives and money

Paying blood plasma donors in New Zealand would ensure enough is in the country to meet patients' needs. In Alberta, Canada, donors receive up $105 NZD ($65 USD) per donation. Georgetown University's Professor Peter Jaworski is an expert in the economics and ethics of blood and plasma donation, and co-author of the new report, 'Liquid Gold: New Zealand's need for compensated plasma collections'. He says we should follow Canada's lead in paying our donors, incentivising plasma donation and localising our life-saving resources. Professor Jaworski spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.