South Africa is recalling millions of locally manufactured condoms after tens of thousands failed an air burst test, dealing a further blow to the country’s campaign to prevent the spread of AIDS.
The Health Ministry said Tuesday the recall involves condoms distributed free by the government.
It follows a scandal in which the South African company Zalatex was found to have bribed an official of the South African Bureau of Standards to approve defective condoms. After the scandal broke in August, the government ordered 20 million condoms to be recalled or held at the factory. Only 12 million have been recovered.
Controversy about the country’s AIDS policy has raged for years, with critics accusing the government of doing too little to slow the epidemic. South Africa has 5.5 million AIDS victims — the highest number in the world — with 900 people dying per day.
The recalls also have raised questions about the competence of the Bureau of Standards, which is supposed to ensure that condoms are up to World Health Organization standards.
The latest recall came after at least five batches of condoms made by the South African company Kohrs Medical Supplies failed the air burst test, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Condoms supplied by two other companies passed the test, the ministry said.
“We appeal to the public and all partners involved in the distribution and promotion of the use of condoms to assist with the recall,” the statement said.
The ministry said it was canceling its contract with Kohrs, which was to supply the government with nearly 64 million condoms. The Zalatex contract was canceled in August. The government had contracted seven companies to supply 425 million condoms in the year ending in February.
Health Department recalls all Zalatex condoms
As a precautionary measure to ensure maximum safety of the public, the Department of Health is recalling all condoms supplied by Zalatex (and produced by Latex Surgical Products [LSP]) for the government condom distribution programme.
The Department of Health has already quarantined close to 3,6 million condoms produced by the company and these condoms are currently stored at various warehouses in the country.
The Department of Health urges the members of the public and all partners involved in the condom distribution programme to return the condoms produced by the company to their nearest condom outlet. These condoms can be identified by a lot number: 4308/ZLX…The lot number is printed at the back of every condom above the expiry date.
The Department is also initiating a public awareness campaign, which should ensure that the public is able to identify these condoms and assist the Department in getting them back. Members of the public in possession of the condoms marked 4308/ZLX are requested to return them to the nearest public health facilities.
The Department of Health will no longer be procuring condoms from the company and will be working together with National Treasury in an effort to terminate the contract with the company. National Treasury is responsible for administration of the contract (i.e. general contract administration such as breach of contract, amendment, suspension and cancellation)
Zalatex is suspected to have bribed an official of the South African Bureau of Standard (SABS) to approve condoms that were not conforming to the quality standards. SABS is responsible for ensuring quality and safety of condoms distributed in the country.
Zalatex is one of the seven (7) companies, which had been awarded the tender to produce male condoms for government. Zalatex received a 9% stake of the total amount of 850 million condoms over two years ending February 2008.
While at least 7 million condoms are a subject of the case of possible collusion between the company and the official of the SABS, the Department of Health is recalling all 20 million condoms that have been supplied by Zalatex since it was awarded the contract.
