‘Anti-Aids gel’ trial on African and Asian women stopped

A reproductive health research organisation decided to halt the trials of Ushercell, a microbicidal vaginal gel allegedly designed as a contraceptive device and to prevent the contraction of the HIV virus because preliminary results indicated that the cellulose sulphate contained in the gel could increase the risk of contracting HIV. The trial was carried out on 1,300 women in South Africa, Benin, Uganda and India. Family Health International also ceased a similar trial in Nigeria as “a precautionary measure”. According to the study co-ordinator, Tim Farley, 30 women had contracted the HIV virus since the trial began in 2005. In the face of scecpticism about the ethical foundations of such trials, a report on the Ushercell trial featured on the Polydex Pharmaceuticals website attempts to emphasise the additional support provided for the women including regular testing, high-quality condoms and monthly counselling. The South African health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has requested an inquiry into the trials that involved just over 600 women in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Both the World Health Organisation and the United Nations claim to be unable to state why these particular trials did not work. In a joint statement, they said; "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".