via plosmedicine.org, by Trudie Lang and Sisira Siribaddana Why Do We Need Trials and What Makes a Trial a Trial? Clinical trials are needed globally to reduce disease burdens by helping developing safe and effective new therapies and vaccines. These solutions may be for non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes, or, as is especially needed in the Read More >>

via the Daily News, by Liz Clarke In the time it takes parents to see their children grow from birth to adulthood, the vaginal gel containing the antiretroviral tenofovir has been under close and intense scrutiny. Now nobody is more keen to see the fast-track roll-out of the life-saving microbicide than Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim. Research initiated Read More >>

via the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), by Catherine Tomlinson and Nathan Geffen Exciting new evidence has demonstrated the potential of antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) to prevent HIV from being sexually transmitted. This TAC briefing explains the evidence and then discusses policy implications. Our recommendations 1.The WHO must release its guidelines on serodiscordant couples.2.People living with HIV should be Read More >>

Via PlusNews. The sixth International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention started optimistically as the hype surrounding the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent HIV infection gained momentum. But the focus of much discussion in Rome from 17-20 July will undoubtedly be on how to transform the recent promising research findings into workable policy. The Read More >>

This the beginning of IRMA’s coverage of the IAS conference in Rome which opened yesterday, and which is being attended by several IRMA advocates. Via Associated Press, by Alessandra Rizzo. The head of the United Nations AIDS program called Sunday for an increase in access to drugs that help treat or prevent the spread of the disease, Read More >>

Via UNAIDS. UNAIDS lauds efforts by India’s National AIDS programme to provide HIV services for men who have sex with men and transgender people. Currently around 67% of men who have sex with men in India are accessing prevention services. According to estimates of the National AIDS Control Organization, there are more than 400 000 men who Read More >>

Via IRIN. HIV and gay rights activists say new guidelines released by the UN World Health Organization (WHO) on HIV programming for men who have sex with men (MSM) will not only improve health service provision for MSM, but will also act as an advocacy tool in the fight for the rights of this marginalized population. “The Read More >>

Via The Hindu. India must make an “extra effort” in addressing the medical needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people affected by HIV and sexually-transmitted infections, a top WHO official said on Tuesday. “Though India has addressed the HIV problem among MSM and transgender people, it has to make an extra effort Read More >>

by Aldona Martinka According to a news release from the United Nations’ website, the five year strategy that the World Health Organization announced yesterday could prevent as many as 4.2 million new HIV infections and save as many as 2 million lives. The strategy for the coming years focuses on four strategic directions: “To optimize HIV prevention, diagnosis, Read More >>

Via PlusNews A former politician, diplomat and aid worker, few people have witnessed the fight against HIV from as many international vantage points as former UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis. Now co-director of the international advocacy organization, AIDS-Free World, Lewis spoke to IRIN/PlusNews about the direction of the international response to HIV. Excerpt: Read More >>