MANCHESTER, England, September 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Vaginal rings, similar to those used for contraception and hormone replacement therapy, could protect women from sexually-transmitted HIV, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Researchers from the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University in Belfast, in conjunction with the International Partnership for Microbicides in the USA, found that a 'matrix' vaginal ring provided long-term release of the HIV microbicide dapivirine, both under laboratory conditions and in patients.

Despite more than 25 years of intensive research there is still no vaccine against HIV. The development of an effective HIV microbicide could play an important role in preventing women becoming infected with the virus. Microbicides are drugs that reduce the infectivity of microbes, such as viruses or bacteria.

Lead researcher, Dr Clare McCoy of Queen's University, said: "If matrix rings are shown to maintain local drug concentrations at levels capable of providing effective protection against HIV over long periods of time, then they may provide an effective preventative strategy against HIV infection.

"A microbicidal vaginal ring would essentially place a woman in greater control of her own sexual health and would have a significant impact on HIV transmission rates amongst the poorest women in the developing world."

"Vaginal ring devices are already commonly used for contraception and hormone replacement therapy. Although initial clinical trial results have proved extremely encouraging, the development of the dapivirine vaginal ring is still in the early stages. Further clinical trials are planned as part of the development programme of the International Partnership for Microbicides," Dr McCoy concluded.

Notes to editors

The British Pharmaceutical Conference 2008 (BPC)

BPC 2008: Pharmacy in the 21st Century: Adding years to life and life to years. In 2008, as the NHS marks its 60th anniversary year, BPC will examine how pharmacy and the pharmaceutical services are helping to add years to life and life to the year of the UK population. The profession of pharmacy plays an important role in meeting the healthcare challenges associated with the UK's ageing population.

How can pharmacists contribute to caring for the population as well as ensuring quality of life? Increasingly, scientists and practitioners have to consider the cost implications of this conundrum, and the evidence base for all interventions is becoming of paramount importance: BPC 2008 will debate these issues and open up discussion on them. Visit: http://www.bpc2008.org/

The main sponsors of BPC 2008 are: Boots The Chemists (Lead Sponsor), AstraZeneca (Associate Sponsor and BPC-PJ Careers Forum Platinum Sponsor), Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) (Associate Sponsor) and GSK (BPC-PJ Careers Forum Platinum Sponsor).

Since 1981, HIV has caused the deaths of over 25 million people worldwide.(1) The deadly virus continues to spread at an alarming rate, particularly in women in developing countries.

Research released at BPC is published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (JPP).

References:

(1) International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM). http://www.ipm-microbicides.org/about_ipm/english/index.htm Accessed 8 August 2008.

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