Condoms could be the next item to fall in short supply as one of the world’s biggest producers of contraception warns a shortage is on the way.
Several factories in Malaysia have been forced to shut down production, thanks to strict lockdown measures imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Malaysia’s Karex Bhd makes one in every five condoms globally.
It has not produced a single condom from its three Malaysian factories due to a lockdown imposed by the government to halt the spread of the virus.
That’s already a potential shortfall of 1 billion condoms, normally marketed internationally by brands such as Durex, supplied to state healthcare systems such as Britain’s NHS or distributed by aid programmes such as the UN Population Fund.
The company was given permission to restart production on Friday, but with only 50% of its workforce, under a special exemption for critical industries.
The other major condom-producing countries are China, where the coronavirus originated and led to widespread factory shutdowns, and India and Thailand.
Makers of other critical items like medical gloves have also faced hiccups in their operations in Malaysia.
In emailed comments, a spokesman for Durex said operations are continuing as normal and the company was not experiencing any supply shortages. “For our consumers, many of whom will be unable to access shops, our Durex online stores remain open for business.”
“The good thing is that the demand for condoms is still very strong because like it or not, it’s still an essential to have,” Goh said.
“Given that at this point in time people are probably not planning to have children. It’s not the time, with so much uncertainty.”
