Microbicides are a range of different products that share one common characteristic: the ability to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) when applied either in the vagina or the rectum.
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. But microbicides are not yet available.
Scientists are currently testing many substances to see whether they help protect against HIV and/or other STDs, but no safe and effective microbicide is currently available to the public.
The design of clinical trials for testing microbicides is very complex. The efficiency could be seen directly by the person who is treated or cured from an infection. High efficiency data could be obtained from people with a high incidence of HIV infections. Since the rate of HIV infections is low in developed countries, the studies have to be conducted more in the developing ones. The participants should give their consent voluntarily and should receive the information in the language they have a command.
Today’s prevention options - condoms, mutual monogamy, and STD 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 hand.
Lack of funding, however, is causing major delays.
In Women’s Hands
EPHA attended the screening of "In Women’s Hands", a documentary about the development of microbicides which was presented jointly by the Global Campaign for Microbicides and the International Partnership for Microbicides.
The session included a briefing on what microbicides are, an issue still relatively new to lots of NGOs working on health and development issues, and why these two different organisations are trying to ensure their development.
Their representatives also explained the ways both organisations worked together and their objectives.
Meeting the challenge of HIV prevention in women
The Global Campaign for Microbicides organised on the 07 October 2005 a meeting in Brussels to raise awareness on the issue amongst the policy-makers community. 11 ambassadors [1] showed their willingness and political commitment to support the global campaign for microbicides.
Two speakers from DG Research and DG Development mentioned the European Commission activities in their relevant field (Research on microbicides or activities in the developing countries.)
The European Parliament was also represented byMs Anne Van Lancker (PES - BE), president of the Working Group on Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Development in the European Parliament. She concluded the meting stressing the human right dimension of women’s safety. As microbicides can contribute to achieving a high level of human health protection, financial and political commitments, they should be a priority.
For more information:
Global Campaign Europe: A Brief Overview
Policy Paper: Microbicides - an essential HIV prevention strategy for achieving the Millenium Development Goals
