[Vaginal virucides against HIV]

Despite intensive efforts to promote condoms as a means of preventing the spread of HIV, the rate at which the epidemic is expanding, highlights the need for additional prevention technologies, and in particular methods controlled by women. Virucides are anti-infective substances, formulated as gels, foams, creams, and suppositories and impregnated sponges, for vaginal application. Women will be able to insert them prior to sexual intercourse to protect themselves and their partners from infection with HIV. Unlike condoms, the woman will control them, and their use can be with or without her partner's consent or even knowledge. They will not create a physical barrier to reduce sexual pleasure, and it will be possible to apply them considerably in advance of sex so that there is no interruption to the natural course of events. Virucides will not necessarily be contraceptive; ideally, they will be available in a choice of contraceptive and non-contraceptive versions. Virucides are not intended to replace other prevention measures such as those based on male and female condoms-or vaccines when they become available-but will give people a wider choice of potentially life-saving methods of protection. About 60 candidate virucides are in the development pipeline, representing many different chemical categories and different mechanisms of action against infection. About half a dozen are scheduled to enter large-scale clinical trials in the near future. Virucides offer the prospect of a low-cost, woman-controlled option for self-administered, broad-spectrum protection against multiple HIV strains, other sexually transmitted pathogens and unwanted pregnancy.