• Who are microbicides for?

Who are microbicides for?

This paper analyses the current search within the health community for a vaginal microbicide - a cream, gel, suppository, or other product that can protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - which is female-controlled, does not rely on the cooperation of a male partner and is non-contraceptive.

Findings include:

• 2.5 million HIV infections could be averted in 73 low-income countries over three years if a microbicide is used under certain conditions
• this would save US$2.7 billion in health care costs and US$1 billion in productivity
• clinical trials of microbicides face some major obstacles, and therefore even with funding and commitment the earliest that an effective topical microbicide could be on the market is 2007
• there are approximately 25 biotechnology companies, 38 nonprofit research organizations, five public sector entities, and 36 supportive research institutes involved in microbicide development worldwide
• depending upon product specifications and cost, as many as 6 million women who are worried about getting an STI would be very interested in using a microbicide
• it would take an estimated US$775 million in direct product development expenses over the next five years to exploit the existing portfolio of microbicide leads

The paper argues time and money could be saved if companies and organisations adopted the following approaches:

• agreement on a standard applicator design and bulk applicator purchasing
• indirect cost-sharing through a co-coordinated manufacturing approach
• low interest loans for building manufacturing plants
• tax credits and incentives
• reducing royalty payments
• international tendering or bulk procurement
• elimination of tariffs or duties
• negotiated price guarantees in exchange for public investment in product development or for access to publicly financed clinical trial sites

[adapted from author]

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