Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02696 Projections of the resource requirements for promoting and distributing microbicides

Kumaranayake, Lilani*
Watts, Charlotte*, Terris-Prestholt F*, Vickerman, Peter*, Heise L**.
*Health Policy Unit, Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine ** Program For Appropriate Technology In Health, Washington DC, USA

Introduction The identification of the resource requirements for microbicides have focused on product development. There is limited discussion on the future resources required to promote and distribute microbicides. For different assumptions about the unit cost of a microbicide, this study estimates the resource requirements associated with adding a microbicide to existing prevention interventions in 73 low and middle-income countries. These are compared with estimates the associated HIV impact and economic benefits of the widespread use a 60% efficacious microbicide

Design Mathematical and economic modeling using demographic, behavioral, epidemiological and economic data.

Methods The analysis builds upon the framework used in the Rockefeller Public Health Impact analysis in 2002. For different assumptions about the unit costs of a microbicide, and estimates of the national level incremental costs of promoting microbicides and incorporating their distribution into existing HIV prevention interventions, estimates of the overall distribution costs of microbicide distribution are obtained. The findings are compared with updated estimates of the projected impact on HIV transmission of the use of a 60% efficacous microbicide by inconsistent and non-condom users and the associated health care costs avoided and productivity savings gained.

Results The analysis is ongoing, and will be completed by January 2004. Key findings will be projections of the future promotion and distribution costs of microbicide and a comparison of the costs and benefits of widespread microbicide distribution.

Conclusion As part of preparations for ensuring widespread microbicide access, it is important that adequate financial resources are committed to microbicide promotion and distribution.

Dr Lilani Kumaranayake
HIVTools Research Group, Health Policy Unit, Department of Public Health Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT U.K.
(Telephone) +44 207 927 2412 (Fax) +44 207 637 5391 (E-mail) Lilani.Kumaranayake@lshtm.ac.uk