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Monday, July 23, 2007
In Jamaica, an advocacy group chaired by Dr Nesha Haniff has vowed to lobby the government of Jamaica to make microbicides available free of cost to women in Jamaica. Experts believe that this drug effectively reduces the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. . The drug was expected to be licensed by early next year, however, Dr Ian McGowan of the Microbicides Trial Network (MTN), has said that currently undergoing safety trials in a number of African and Asian countries. He added that although the study was expected to end in 2008, there might be some licensing delays because of a few failed trials. Meanwhile, groups in Jamaica have expressed concern about the lack of pubic awareness campaigns promoting this new drug, which they believe is breakthrough for women. Microbicides can be applied in gel form to the vagina to significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other STIs.
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