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Africa trials HIV vaginal ring

Written by Administrator
Thursday, 10 June 2010 00:00

A vaginal ring that releases antiretroviral drugs into women's systems to prevent HIV transmission during sex will be tested for the first time in Africa.

The International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) announced on Tuesday that it will launch a placebo-controlled trial of the ring with 280 HIV-negative women in the southern and eastern Africa.

The study will assess the acceptability and safety of the rings, which contain 25 milligrams of a new antiretroviral drug called dapivirine. Similar rings have been used successfully to release contraceptive hormones to prevent pregnancies. IPM said if the trials are successful the rings could be marketed by 2015.

HIV and AIDS is the leading cause of death among women 15 to 44 years old worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. It is the key cause of disease for women in Africa.

This news story was originally featured on the Panos London website.