For 25 years, Pamco has supported sexual health, education and awareness across Canada. Our story began in 2000, when Pamco opened its doors to distribute condoms to non-profit organizations across the country.
The awareness and importance of condom use took a significant turn with the advent of HIV/AIDS in the mid-1980s. Historically, condoms were mainly used to help prevent unintended pregnancies—and, if you ask some people today, they may still consider this the main reason for condom use.
Today, however, another major reason for condom use is protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Against this backdrop, Pamco doesn’t simply sell condoms. We continually engage in education and awareness to help our partners better understand the importance of safer-sex practices. Health and education are at the forefront of everything Pamco does.
Growing With the Needs of Our Partners
Over the past 25 years, Pamco has developed partnerships with more than 1,000 clients. Early on, we became an important resource for many of our non-profit clients.
As sexual health needs and products have changed, Pamco has changed with them.
For example, during Pamco’s early years, condoms containing Nonoxynol-9 were among the most popular options because they were believed to offer additional protection. Years later, these products were taken off the market for a variety of reasons.
As the market evolved, so did Pamco.
Expanding Our Portfolio With the FC2 Internal Condom
In 2008, Pamco expanded its sexual health portfolio when we became the exclusive Canadian distributor of the FC2 Female Condom, also known today as the FC2 Internal Condom.
FC2 provides a latex-free option and gives the person wearing it greater control over their sexual wellness. Use of FC2 has continued to grow over the years.
At the same time, sexual wellness products have continued to evolve. Both water-based and silicone-based lubricants, for example, have become increasingly popular parts of the safer-sex conversation.
Introducing Harmony Dams
Twenty years ago, the idea of using a dam, or oral barrier, was uncommon. Today, dams play a more significant role in sexual wellness.
Until 2021, Canadians did not have access to a Health Canada-approved dam. Pamco took on that challenge and became the first regulatory-approved manufacturer of a polyisoprene, non-latex dam globally.
Because oral barriers in Canada are Class III medical devices, reaching this milestone was a significant accomplishment for Pamco. It also required us to become an ISO 13485-certified facility.
After three years of testing and development, Pamco proudly introduced Harmony Dams, available in both latex and polyisoprene non-latex options.
Expanding Our Non-Latex Options
As awareness of latex allergies and sensitivities has grown, so has the need for additional non-latex options.
Along with our non-latex Harmony Dams, Pamco is able to offer latex-free sexual wellness kits. Our non-latex portfolio will continue to grow as the needs of the communities and organizations we serve continue to evolve.
Bringing Sexual and Reproductive Health Together
It is clear that the world of health and wellness has made many advances over the past 25 years. Throughout that time, Pamco’s goal has been to create change and educate our partners as products, information and community needs evolve.
More recently, we have begun bringing sexual health and reproductive health together through our line of menstrual cups.
In 2023, Pamco acquired the UltuCup brand of menstrual cups, which are made in North America. Pamco specializes in working with non-profit organizations to help make UltuCup available to communities across North America.
These products are all part of Pamco’s broader personal wellness initiatives. Supporting awareness around health issues while providing more environmentally friendly options is an area we won’t ignore—and one we will continue to focus on in the future.
Looking Ahead to the Next 25 Years
So… that’s a brief look at Pamco’s exciting 25-year journey.
From condoms and the FC2 Internal Condom to Harmony Dams, non-latex options and menstrual cups, Pamco has continued to transform alongside the sexual and reproductive health needs of the communities we serve.
One thing we can say for certain: our journey has never been boring.
Thank you to all of our partners who have been part of that journey. We look forward to the next 25 years.
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