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New Long-Acting HIV Prevention Tool for Women Becomes Available in East Africarn
By PAULINE KAIRU
The introduction of the dapivirine vaginal ring, also known as the DapiRing, heralds a new era for women’s access to HIV prevention tools. With regulatory approval in 11 Eastern and Southern African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda where women account for a significant proportion of people living with HIV, this long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) tool is set to make a positive impact on women’s health.
Continuous Protection
The dapivirine vaginal ring offers discreet and continuous protection against HIV during sexual activity. This small silicone ring worn internally slowly releases the antiretroviral drug dapivirine over a month to prevent an infection from establishing.
Empowerment Through Discretion
This innovative tool provides women an option that is entirely within their control. It eliminates the reliance on male partners’ cooperation and minimizes upkeep as it only needs to be replaced once per month.
Partnership for Access
Miles Kemplay, Executive Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights at Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), emphasizes that affordability has been a barrier to accessing this option. CIFF’s collaboration with the Global Fund seeks to bridge this gap through an initiative aimed at making 150,000 rings available.
Innovative Development
Manufactured by Sever Pharma Solutions in Sweden exclusively for the Population Council, these rings signal significant progress in HIV prevention efforts for Sub-Saharan Africa where most new infections occur among women.
A next-generation three-month PrEP ring is also on its way through regulatory review soon.
Sustainable Market Access
This initiative aims not only at providing immediate access but also ensuring long-term sustainability by facilitating market adoption while driving down costs.
For effective implementation starting October2024-2025), collaborations involving CIFF alongside other partners aim at setting up groundwork expanded adoption while exploring avenues that will lead to further price reductions.
The cost of one-month PrEP ring currently stands at $12.8 but plans are underway towards bridging affordable access by rolling out three-month rings priced under $16 – almost 60% more cost-effective compared with individual monthly procurement excluding distribution costs.
These partnerships have identified several opportunities aimed at reducing price tag even further.