As part of the tender specifications, the Department of Health requires that all condoms be certified by SABS as being of adequate quality in terms of the standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Department of Health is recalling all condoms supplied by one of the seven companies, Zalatex (and produced by Latex Surgical Products [LSP]) as a precautionary measure. This follows charges that Zalatex bribed an official of the SABS to approve condoms that were not conforming to the quality standards. Close to 5 million condoms supplied by Zalatex have been collected since the recall and an additional 7,5 million condoms have been quarantined at the company's warehouse. An urgent meeting of the Bid Adjudication Committee has been called for next week to review the contract with Zalatex and the recommendation from the Department of Health is that the contract should be cancelled. The Department has ceased buying any stock from Zalatex. The public is urged to continue to support the recall of these condoms by returning to the nearest health facility all condoms with a lot number: 4308/ZLX*.
In the meantime, it is important to continue to encourage the correct and consistent use of condoms as an important barrier against unwanted pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV infection. The Department of Health will continue to work together with SABS to ensure that all condoms distributed by government conform to the quality standard set by the WHO.
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