No N.Z. tampon ban

Press, 3 February 1981, Page 6

No N.Z. tampon ban

PA Wellington The Health Department .yesterday made a firm decision not to ban New Zealand .manufactured “Carefree” tampons,, now. being , recalled from the. Australian market after.’, two. cases of.\the mysf terious/ tdxic'/shdck -syndrome, occurred in women using the New Zealand-made product. The Health Deoartment’s directorTbf^ cli nical seryices, Dr J. Phillips, said yesterday a T ! :“firm;v decision/’’ agaitist.’ banning of ‘Carefree’ Bp .abv other tamponhad ; I been taken.” ; ? v'.; ,■ . ’

i Dr Phillips said he believed the Australian reaction to the, two cases of . toxic shock syndrome was ’ largely governed by the fact that-. they,., were „• the first capesT ■'-< :-jssWe went y through ~ the iSame last'year when . we-.:had one confirmed case,” he said. ■ “We have .established our guidelines, been through all our? research, and defined the situation.” ’ i He reiterated .his’ previous statements' that the situation had- not changed because of

- the Australian recall of ■ “Carefree” tampons. ; Last year, the department ; advised women to avoid the continuous use of tampons : during a period by using other forms'of protection. :: Dr Phillips said the disk? ■ ease appeared to . be linked with methods of using tampons .and suggested that women change tampons five times daily. ’ z -„ Toxic shock syndrome is]ja recently-isolated bacterial condition which causes vomitting. high temperatures, and diarrhoea. It can be'fatal, ’ fataL ' .y-S?