HR 3854 & Senate S 550

Summary: The Microbicide Development Act would require a U.S. government plan to expedite the development of microbicides and enable funding for a range of activities needed to achieve this goal, including clinical trials and behavioral and social science research relevant to microbicide development, testing, acceptability and use.

What You Should Know: Microbicides refer to a range of products—usually creams, gels, suppositories, or sponges—that could be used by women to protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It would take an estimated $775 million over five years to bring microbicides currently in development to the market, but right now, only $89 million is being spent annually on microbicide research.

Primary Sponsor(s): Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) & Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)

Introduction Date: 9/21/2005 (House) & 3/8/2005 (Senate)

Last Major Action:
House: 10/7/2005. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Senate: 3/8/2005. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2253-2255)