Health Matters Banner
July 2011 Issue 2
In This Issue
Education: Manufacturing Condoms
Awareness: STIs and Older Guys
Education:  Manufacturing Condoms
Manufacturing male and female condoms has changed dramatically since Dr. Conton provided King Charles II with male condoms made from animal intestine.
  
Today's male condoms are most commonly made from latex.  The FC2 female condom is made from synthetic nitrile, which is the same material used to manufacture some medical examination gloves.
  
Latex male condoms are usually manufactured using a multi-dip process.  A latex compound is placed in a condom-forming machine whereby glass forms are dipped and rotated to create condoms.  These condoms are dried and dipped several more times before a finished condom is developed.  Coloured and flavoured condoms are often made by altering the compound used during the final dips.
  
No manufacturing process would be complete without Quality Assurance Testing and Quality Control.  Quality Assurance Testing includes testing condoms for tensile strength, leakage and microscopic holes.  In the U.S., the FDA reviews batches of manufactured condoms for the above testing --as well as conformance to dimension, weight and thickness specifications.  Like the FDA, Health Canada follows similar Quality Control guidelines.
  
Learn more at:  How Condoms Are Made

Pamco's 

Commitment to Customer Partnership

 includes:

storing inventory at our warehouse, when customers experience storage limitations. 

 

This enables Pamco's customers to take advantage of volume price discounts and arrange deliveries as required (based on storage capabilities). 

 

Please check with Pamco to find the best solution to meet your organization's storage requirements.

 

Contact Pamco today at:  info@pamco.ca or 519-648-2200.

 

Greetings!


Welcome to Pamco's Health Matters, an e-newsletter designed to share information about sexual health and the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.  While you have been selected as a recipient representing your organization, feel free to forward a copy of this e-newsletter to contacts or colleagues.
  
Pamco provides a full line of health products to organizations across Canada.  Learn more at:  Pamco Distributing Inc.

 

Awareness:  STIs and Older Guys

The rate of STIs among males over 40 years of age is increasing. 
  
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and University of Southern California reviewed health insurance claims records of 1.4 million males over age 40.  The average age of claimants was 60.  Surprisingly, of the 40,000 claims by males using erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment drugs, the rate of STI was calculated to be 214.9 per 100,000 males.  Of the remaining claims by approximately 1.36 million males who did not take ED drugs, the comparative rate of STI was 106.  The researchers gathered STI claim information both before and after the sampled males began taking an ED drug.  Researchers suggest that risky sexual behaviour, not taking ED treatment drugs, is correlated to the increased rate of STI amongst these older men.
  
STI males
  
Additionally, researchers reported that men over the age of 50 are 17% less likely to use a condom and 20% less likely than younger males to get an HIV test completed.
  
Researchers also noted that primary care physicians, whether prescribing drugs to treat ED or not, rarely discussed opportunities to reduce sexual risk factors with middle-aged or older clients.
  
Preventing and managing STIs means discussing risks and strategies with all clients, irrespective of age.  

About Us

Pamco started as a small business with a mission to help fight STIs by providing superior quality health products to organizations across Canada.  Over 10 years later, Pamco has worked intently to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and frontline professionals in the provision of healthcare.
  
By listening to health professionals, Pamco has been able to partner with organizations, gather information and share resources to facilitate strategic health promotion programs.  Pamco has grown to provide a portfolio of products that have been carefully selected to promote education, awareness and options to consumers in the prevention of HIV/AIDs, other STIs and unintended pregnancies.
  
We hope that you and your colleagues enjoy our e-newsletter.  We look forward to serving you in the future and welcome your feedback about our products and service.

 

Pamco Distributing Inc.
  

 

Feet

Spotlight On:  

 

FC2 
  
Did you know that the female condom has been available in North America since the 1990's?  A great alternative to the male condom, the female condom allows women to take charge of their health.  FC2 is Female Health Company's latest version of the female condom.  The FC2 is a one-time use female condom made from nitrile that provides dual protection from both STIs and unintended pregnancies.  The benefit?  Added protection.  When used correctly, the female condom provides broader physical protection than the male condom.
  
Check out product details on Pamco's website:  FC2 Female Condom

Contact Pamco today for all of your health product needs.