Women in SA could have access to a three-monthly HIV prevention ring by 2026

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Focus, Healthcare system, HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest, Spotlight

A flexible silicone ring that slowly releases antiretrovirals is one of just two long-acting HIV prevention products registered for use in South Africa. Results from a new study might pave the way for a longer-acting version of the vaginal ring that provides three months of protection at a time, as opposed to one month with the current ring. Elri Voigt reports on these findings and looks at how the one-month ring has influenced HIV prevention choices in South Africa.

Women in SA could have access to a three-monthly HIV prevention ring by 2026

Women in Health: Francesca Conradie – from HIV to groundbreaking TB research

Posted in: Edition 10: Drug-resistant TB, Edition 14: Tuberculosis, Edition 7: TB, HIV/AIDS, Latest, TB

Dr Francesca Conradie knew she wanted to be a doctor when she was eight years old. Now, 50 years later, she is a pioneer in the field of tuberculosis (TB) and led a landmark trial that changed how drug-resistant TB is treated. Aisha Abdool Karim spoke to her about the reasons behind her switch from HIV research to TB, her initial surprise at the remarkable NiX trial results, and the man who has shaped her life – her father.

Women in Health: Francesca Conradie – from HIV to groundbreaking TB research

1.3m switched to new ARV, but weight gain is a concern

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest

Two years after it was announced that the ARV dolutegravir would become part of standard first line HIV treatment in South Africa, it is finally reaching significant numbers of people. But new research about a worrying side-effect, weight gain (particularly in women), has muddied its otherwise stellar reputation.

1.3m switched to new ARV, but weight gain is a concern

IN-DEPTH: Vaginal ring ushers in new era in HIV prevention

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Edition 12: SA’s AIDS & TB response, Edition 9: State of HIV, HIV/AIDS, Latest

A recent announcement about a vaginal ring to prevent HIV has AIDS activists and women’s sexual and reproductive health advocates excited. But where would this ring fit in South Africa’s HIV prevention programme? Amy Green investigates.

IN-DEPTH: Vaginal ring ushers in new era in HIV prevention

Breakthrough hepatitis C medicines remain in regulatory limbo

Posted in: Latest

Over the last decade the treatment of hepatitis C, a virus that can infect and damage the liver, has been revolutionised by a new class of medicines called direct acting antivirals. Catherine Tomlinson investigates the regulatory obstacles that are limiting access to these breakthrough medicines in South Africa.