Durex manufacturer dispute creating condom shortage in Britain

Britain is in fear of a shortage of their leading brand of condoms, Durex, due to a legal dispute between Durex and their main supplier in India. The news has sparked fears of an increase in sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

The Indian firm TTK produces more than half of Durex’s condoms, which account for around 40 per cent of the global condom market. They have decided to halt its supply of condoms to Durex in May after a dispute over pricing and distribution rights with Durex’s owner, Reckitt Benckiser a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. The Slough-based company launched a High Court bid to force TTK to resume production and supply but the case failed.

Sexual health expert Dr Malcolm Vandenburg said the shortage could put the safe sex message at risk, saying: ‘The fear is that if there is a shortage, young people will begin to have unprotected sex. However the National Health Service spokeswoman stated On July 24^th, 2011 “NHS Supply Chain has made clear that condoms are available from alternative manufacturers.”