HSA Updates
HSA Clarifies on False Report of Woman Charged and Jailed for Bringing in Condoms
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Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
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Others
13 April 2012
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) was made aware of a circulating email citing that a woman was arrested for trying to bring 100 packs of condoms from Johor Bahru into Singapore.
2 HSA has investigated the contents of the mail and confirms it to be untrue. No person has been prosecuted for the importation of condoms. HSA advises members of the public not to disseminate hoax emails with unsubstantiated reports.
3 HSA would also like to assure members of the public that there is no shortage of condoms as a result of the newly implemented Medical Device Regulations. Fourteen brands of condoms are registered in Singapore and they include the range of products from Ansell Contempo, Durex, Hevea, Innolatex, Karex Carex, Medical Espire, Nulatex, Okamoto, Pleasure Latex, Sagami Original, SSL Durex, Suretex, Ukin.
The importance of regulating condoms
4 Consistent with the classification in overseas agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union, condoms are regulated as a medical device in Singapore as they are intended to reduce the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The quality and integrity of condoms are critical in determining their intended function and it is essential that these products comply to the quality requirements for tensile strength and leakage. The material used in condoms, rubber latex, is prone to degradation especially when subjected to high temperatures or when in contact with oils which will cause the rubber to degrade and result in a defective product with severe consequences (such as unwanted pregnancies and transmission of STD) if used.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
13 APRIL 2012