Reader Responses to Can We Kill HIV?
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Send feedbackThank you for highlighting the exciting efforts to develop innovative HIV prevention tools (“Can We Kill HIV?”, May/June 2018). The article’s definition of microbicides as gels is incomplete; other forms include rectal enemas and vaginal films, rings and inserts. The dapivirine ring is the first long-acting product to reduce HIV risk in two large clinical trials and is currently under regulatory review for sub-Saharan African countries where women face the highest risk. (I work for International Partnership for Microbicides, the nonprofit that developed it.)
The piece stated that microbicides eliminate the need for condoms. It is true that women often cannot negotiate condom use, but when possible, they should be combined with HIV prevention methods to protect against unintended pregnancy and other infections.
Crystal Ng ’05 Washington, D.C.
