The increase in the HIV pandemic makes it urgent to develop a vaginal microbicide to reduce risk of heterosexual transmission. Aside from abstinence or a mutually monogamous relationship between uninfected partners, condoms -- when used consistently and correctly -- offer the best protection currently available against both bacterial and viral STDs. But women or men who cannot or do not use condoms need other options for protecting themselves. Even couples using condoms would probably benefit from using a vaginal microbicide as an adjunct method of protection.
Research aimed at the development of a vaginal microbicide is a high public health priority and also can be a good investment. From the public sector perspective, microbicidal development may offer benefits for public health by helping to curb the spread of STDs, particularly HIV/AIDS. From the private sector perspective, a large potential market exists.
Both public and private sectors are increasingly recognizing the feasibility and desirability of developing a microbicide. Because the development of such a product promises to be difficult and expensive, however, collaboration between the sectors is essential. By updating the status of research and development, clarifying regulatory and legal issues, and addressing industry's primary concerns, this 1998 conference continued ongoing efforts to promote intensive collaboration between the sectors. Agencies and industry are now better prepared to form new partnerships directly and so accelerate the creation of profitable microbicidal products that are safe, effective, acceptable and affordable for the people who urgently need them.
