The rate of new HIV infections in adults and adolescents has not fallen since 2007 but an unprecedented range of new products to prevent transmission of the disease could reduce the 2.5 million new HIV infections each year if they are made affordable, according to a report released today by UNITAID.
In the only comprehensive study to date of the market for HIV prevention tools, UNITAID shows how high prices, low manufacturing capacity and demand are still barriers to use of these products in developing countries.
"While male condoms are a cost-effective and successful tool to prevent transmission of HIV, other products will hopefully soon be available," said UNITAID Executive Director Dr Denis Broun. "Yet many of these – such as male circumcision devices or HIV treatment-based methods – are not yet available, not yet approved for use, or are too expensive for the world's poorest."
UNITAID's report shows the pitfalls of monopolistic markets for some of these devices. A recent example occurred in May 2013, when the World Health Organization approved a non-surgical adult male circumcision device for the first time. Known as PrePex™, each easy-to-produce device reportedly costs around US$ 20, leading to UNITAID to call for more market competition to bring prices down. Unless additional manufacturers enter the market and more research funding is made available, prices could stay high. Circumcising adult men reduces the risk of female-to-male HIV transmission by 60%.
