About Microbicides

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Microbicides would be the most important innovation in reproductive health since the Pill
Microbicides are not yet available
Microbicides would fill an important gap
Lack of funding, is causing major delays
It is essential that microbicides get into the hands who need them at a price they can afford
More on microbicides...

Microbicides would be the most important innovation in reproductive health since the Pill.

The word "microbicides" refers to a range of different products that share one common characteristic: the ability to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when applied topically. A microbicide could be produced in many forms, including gels, creams, suppositories, films, or as a sponge or ring that releases the active ingredient over time.

Microbicides are not yet available.

Scientists are currently testing many substances to see whether they help protect against HIV and/or other STIs, but no safe and effective microbicide is currently available to the public. However, scientists are seriously pursuing more than 30 product leads, including 10 that have proven safe and effective in animals and are now being tested in people. The results of the microbicides effectiveness trials now furthest along are expected in 2009, and it will take additional time for any successful product to be approved for licensure. The very soonest we can expect public access to a microbicide is in the next five years. This will only happen if one of the products now in effectiveness trials is successful. The first introduction will likely happen in the hardest-hit countries through small scale introductory programmes.

If the current set of products in effectiveness trials does not prove effective, this time horizon will be longer. There are several candidates already in clinical safety testing and in pre-clinical laboratory testing. The field needs to ensure that the entire research pipeline continues to advance.

Microbicides would fill an important gap in our ability to prevent HIV and STIs

Today's prevention options --condoms, mutual monogamy, and STI treatment-- are not feasible for millions of people around the world, especially women. Many women do not have the social or economic power necessary to insist on condom use and fidelity or to abandon partnerships that put them at risk. Because microbicides would not require a partner's cooperation, they would put the power to protect into women's hands.

Lack of funding, however, is causing major delays

Investment in microbicide R&D must expand dramatically --and quickly-- if the promise of microbicides is to be realised. In the short term, funding must come from the "public sector" --governments and philanthropic donors-- because it is not in the economic self-interest of pharmaceutical companies to fill this R&D gap.

It is essential that microbicides get into the hands of women and men who need them at a price they can afford.

In the past, new health technologies have rarely become widely available in developing countries until more than a decade after their approval in the US and Europe, an unacceptable delay for this life-saving technology developed primarily with public funds. Advocates are working with researchers and policy makers to emphasise the need to address issues of access and affordability up front, in order to deliver a microbicide rapidly once it is proven safe and effective.