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NAT Calls On Government To Support Microbicides Trials

Saturday 8 March is International Women’s Day, and to coincide with the annual event the National AIDS Trust is calling on government and pharmaceutical companies to support trials of a new class of microbicides.

Existing methods of HIV prevention are failing millions of women, particularly in developing countries, where women often cannot negotiate condom use because of availability or social stigmas.

While trials of some early day microbicide candidates have ended without showing effectiveness, next generation microbicides offer new hope in 2008.

These new compounds, currently in trials, differ from earlier options as they specifically target HIV, use different delivery methods - such as a gel, cream, or vaginal ring - can protect for longer periods, and most importantly are based on proven antiretroviral therapies commonly used to treat HIV.

“Women are disproportionately affected by HIV globally, yet we still do not have a widely accepted female controlled option for women to protect themselves against HIV," said Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National AIDS Trust.

"Next generation microbicides offer a real hope to empower women and reduce HIV as part of a comprehensive prevention package."

“Government and pharmaceutical companies must make HIV prevention a priority and ensure that every necessary resource is harnessed to give next generation microbicides the greatest chance of success," she added.

Currently there are 15.4 million women living with HIV and 61% of adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women.

Research shows that women are significantly more likely than men to contract HIV from a single act of unprotected vaginal intercourse, meaning new microbicides may hope for women’s sexual health in the 21st century.

Author: Joanne Oatts

GaydarNation