African Firm to Produce HIV-Preventive Vaginal Rings

Kiara Health's production could make the rings more affordable and accessible, potentially reducing HIV rates among women in Africa.

South African company Kiara Health will start producing HIV-protective vaginal rings within the next few years, with an estimated annual production of 1 million rings.
The rings, which release the drug dapivirine over a month, are currently made by a Swedish company and cost between $12 to $16, but the price is expected to drop once production increases in Africa.
The World Health Organization and regulators in over a dozen African countries have approved the use of the ring, which has been shown to reduce women's chances of getting HIV by about a third to over 50%.
HIV is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age in Africa, with 60% of new infections occurring in women.
Developers are working on a version of the ring that will last up to three months, which should further lower the yearly cost.