This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6319787.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Anti-Aids gel' trial is stopped | 'Anti-Aids gel' trial is stopped |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Clinical trials of a new drug designed to help prevent women contracting the Aids virus have been stopped. | Clinical trials of a new drug designed to help prevent women contracting the Aids virus have been stopped. |
| The World Health Organization said the drug, which uses a microbicidal gel, did not help the women and made them more vulnerable. | |
| The tests were carried out on more than 1,300 women in South Africa, Benin, Uganda and India. | The tests were carried out on more than 1,300 women in South Africa, Benin, Uganda and India. |
| The WHO and the United Nations Aids agency said it was not clear why the product did not work. | The WHO and the United Nations Aids agency said it was not clear why the product did not work. |
| A similar test in Nigeria has also been halted but trials of three other microbicides are still continuing. | A similar test in Nigeria has also been halted but trials of three other microbicides are still continuing. |
| The cellulose sulfate gel, based on seaweed and made by Canadian company Polydex Pharmaceuticals, was supposed to release an active ingredient designed to kill HIV during sexual intercourse. | |
| "This is a disappointing and unexpected setback in the search for a safe and effective microbicide that can be used by women to protect themselves against HIV infection," said WHO and UNAids in a joint statement. | "This is a disappointing and unexpected setback in the search for a safe and effective microbicide that can be used by women to protect themselves against HIV infection," said WHO and UNAids in a joint statement. |
| Around 30 women had contracted HIV since the trial started in 2005, the AFP news agency quotes study co-ordinator Tim Farley as saying. | Around 30 women had contracted HIV since the trial started in 2005, the AFP news agency quotes study co-ordinator Tim Farley as saying. |
| Scientists had hoped that microbicides could have a major impact in the fight against Aids, especially in Africa, where women bear the brunt of the disease. | Scientists had hoped that microbicides could have a major impact in the fight against Aids, especially in Africa, where women bear the brunt of the disease. |
| They are being developed because it is often difficult for women to insist that men use condoms during sex. | They are being developed because it is often difficult for women to insist that men use condoms during sex. |