The health measures taken Malaysia to combat the spread of coronavirus could have a direct effect on global stocks of condoms. Karex Berhad, a company established in the country, manufactures around 20% of the condoms sold on the planet. However, the company had to stop the activity of three of its factories for more than a week because of the containment put in place by the Malaysian authorities, reports The Guardian.
The manufacturing of the products was able to resume on Friday March 27, but only partially. Only 50% of employees in production units have returned to work. As an actor in a sector considered essential, Karex Berhad benefited from an exemption from the measures which apply to local businesses.
Latex gloves also affected
Almost 100 million condoms did not leave factories during the pause of the production lines. The context does not allow us to quickly catch up, or to produce more latex protective gloves, also mass produced in Malaysian factories.
“The factories restart will take time, said Goh Miah Kiat, managing director of Karex Berhad. We have difficulty meeting demand […] We’re going to face a condom shortage everywhere, it’s worrisome ”, he explained.
This manufacturer is one of the suppliers of the Durex brand, but also of public health programs in many countries, including the United Kingdom. Programs sanitary also use condoms produced by Karex Berhad. “I’m worried about many humanitarian devices … In Africa, […] this shortage can span several months “, laments Goh Miah Kiat.
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