Supply Issues and Cost of IVIG in Canada

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a therapy many people rely on for treatment for a variety of conditions, including myasthenia gravis (MG), and other autoimmune diseases, such as chronic inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy, myositis, and multifocal motor mononeuropathy, among others. 

Despite its widespread use, and the fact that immunoglobulins are the most widely used medication made from plasma, few understand how fragile the supply chain behind it truly is. Despite attempts to expand its domestic plasma capacity Canada imports approximately 85% of its blood products. These efforts include ten new plasma donor centres opened since 2020 and another scheduled for 2026–2027. Plasma collection has also increased across the existing donor network. 

Domestic immunoglobulin sufficiency has risen from a meagre 15% to 27% by the end of the 2024–2025 fiscal year. Seventeen percent came from Canadian Blood Services collections and ten percent from Grifols, a private IVIG producer. Even with this progress, demand climbed another 10%, which means the gap between what Canadians need and what Canada can produce remains significant.

The IVIG Supply Chain

Intravenous immune globulin is derived from donated human plasma. There is no synthetic replacement. 

The National Advisory Committee on Blood and Blood Products has issued a national shortages plan to guide hospitals when inventory dips (NAC, 2024). These measures protect access, but they also signal the reality: IVIG is a limited resource.

The pressure comes from many directions. Neurology, hematology, and clinical immunology all use IVIG. Conditions that once rarely used immune globulin now use it more often, sometimes at higher dose ranges. A population-based cohort study from the Canadian immunology community has shown a steady expansion of indications (Harmon et al., 2023). Every one of these factors increases demand.

The Cost of IVIG in Canada

IVIG costs are not billed to Canadian patients, but they matter a great deal to the health care system. The product itself averages around $60 per gram. A single infusion may cost several thousand dollars, depending on the dose. For chronic conditions requiring frequent IVIG administration, the annual system cost can surpass $100,000 per patient.

Health Canada and provincial agencies routinely evaluate incremental cost, cost effectiveness, and longer-term sustainability. These reviews help guide where IVIG should be used, and when alternative treatments may be more appropriate.

What Does IVIG Cost?

The price of an IVIG infusion varies with the condition being treated and the patient’s weight. Neurological disorders, such as myasthenia gravis, often require higher doses, so the cost climbs quickly. An infusion may fall in the $2,000 to $8,000 range when medication and clinical resources are combined.

Comparative studies continue to evaluate how IVIG treatment compares with other treatments. One Canadian economic evaluation found that Efgartigimod (Vivgart), for example, delivered better long-term value than chronic IVIG for myasthenia gravis when quality-adjusted life years and lifetime costs were weighed side by side (Siddiqi et al., 2025). These analyses do not diminish the clinical value of IVIG, but they do highlight the financial pressures attached to its use.

How Patients Access IVIG in Canada

IVIG therapy requires a specialist assessment. Neurologists, hematologists, and clinical immunologists determine whether the treatment is appropriate and whether provincial criteria are met. Hospitals follow strict ordering guidelines created by transfusion committees.

Because IVIG is a limited blood product, specialists sometimes consider other treatments first. Plasma exchange, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or newer targeted agents may offer similar or better outcomes depending on the diagnosis. Exploring treatment options is part of responsible resource allocation.

For patients seeking guidance, a multidisciplinary neuro health clinic such as Neuro Outaouais provides the structure needed to assess the condition, evaluate IVIG use, and determine whether another approach may be more suitable.

Moving Toward More Stable Supply

Canada’s long-term goal is to reduce its dependence on imported plasma. The expanding donor network and domestic manufacturing through the Grifols agreement are steps in that direction. Even so, IVIG products remain sensitive to fluctuations in global supply. 

Alternative Treatments to IVIG for Myasthenia Gravis

Recent advances in MG care now include treatments that target the root immune mechanisms, rather than relying solely on IVIG. One of these is Efgartigimod (Vivgart), approved for patients with AChR-antibody positive generalized MG; it works by lowering the levels of disease-causing antibodies. With our team at the clinic actively recruiting for the VIIM study (Vivgard in IVIG) to compare Efgartigimod against standard IVIG therapy. If you’d like to explore and know more about if emerging MG treatments may be right for you, contact our team.

References 

medical professional inserting needle into patient’s arm to draw blood
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