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Home » About Microbicides » Nonoxynol-9 » N-9 Advocacy

N-9 Advocacy

Call to Discontinue N-9 for Rectal Use

The Global Campaign has been working on multiple fronts to counter the fact that many individuals are still seeking out and using lubricants and condoms containing Nonoxynol-9 in the mistaken belief that they offer added protection against HIV and STIs. Because these products, especially if used rectally, may actually increase infection risk, we have been advocating for their removal from the market.

Since releasing the "Call to Discontinue Nonoxynol-9 for Rectal Use" in September 2003, we have seen some significant progress as a result of this advocacy:

• All major lubricant manufacturers have now agreed to stop adding N-9 to the sexual lubricants they produce. While lubricants containing N-9 may still be available in some retail locations, new lots of the product do not have it.

• Several condom manufacturers have stopped production of condoms with N-9. Among these are: Planned Parenthood, Johnson & Johnson's condom-producing subsidiary in Brazil and Mayer Laboratories --distributor of Maxx and Kimono condoms.

• On March 18, 2004, California Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 16 that urges the FDA to ban the sale of condoms and sexual lubricants containing N-9. AJR 16 also calls on manufacturers to stop producing N-9 condoms and asks retailers to stop selling these harmful products. Talking points supplied by Koretz’ office.

• The UK/Ireland Campaign for Microbicides has issued its own "UK Call for the Removal of N-9 from Condoms and Lubricants" (based in the Global Campaign's Call) and is gathering endorsements for it from leading scientists, advocates and NGOs in their region.

US Campaign sites have organised "field trips" to local retail outlets to encourage them to remove existing stock of condoms and lubricants containing N-9. The Chicago site has approached the corporate headquarters of the drugstore chain Walgreens, about implementing a company-wide ban. Flyer for Retailers

At the grassroots level

Several of the Global Campaign's local affiliates have undertaken important action on this issue in their own regions. The following is a sampling of those activities:

In Canada, the MAG-Net (Microbicide Advocacy Network Group), has drafted a letter to Health Canada to raise the issue and ask:

• What decisions has Health Canada made regarding the removal of Nonoxynol-9 from sexual lubricants and condoms available in Canada?
• What range of options is available to Health Canada regarding licensing, regulating and controlling the availability of products containing Nonoxynol-9 in Canada?
• How can community input be integrated in Health Canada efforts to remove these products and to raise awareness about the risks associated with use of products containing Nonoxynol-9?

In California, the California Microbicides Initiative (CaMI) is using the opportunity presented by AJR 16 to generate wider familiarity with the issue of microbicides among California's public health authorities and is working hard to cultivate public health support for effective consumer, manufacturer and retailer education on the issue.

In Illinois, the Beyond Latex Campaign has contacted Wallgreens, the largest drug store chain in the midwest, and asked them to discontinue their sale of lubricants and condoms containing N-9. Walgreens requested extensive follow-up information and is considering this request.

In Washington, the Northwest Campaign for Microbicides is working its Health Department to develop a "health department approved" warning message re: danger of using N-9 products rectally. Once developed, the Campaign plans to print this message on "point of sales" placards and post them in retail establishments

The Pennsylvania Campaign for Microbicides discovered that the Philadelphia Health Department was still distributing N-9 condoms to NGOs it funds under HIV/AIDS contracts. They contacted the Department's AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO) to request that only condoms lubricated without N-9 be distributed. AACO has now adopted this requested policy.

The Georgia Campaign for Microbicides ran an ad in the AIDS Survival Project's Survival News warning on the dangers of N-9.