Kiara Health In South Africa To Manufacture HIV-Preventing Vaginal Rings, See How It Works

Johannesburg-based company Kiara Health is set to revolutionize HIV prevention with the production of silicone vaginal rings, announced by the Population Council. The nonprofit organization owns the rights to these rings, previously manufactured by a Swedish company. With an estimated annual production of 1 million, the move is expected to increase accessibility and affordability, ultimately benefiting women’s health.

The silicone rings, authorized by nearly a dozen countries and the World Health Organization, release a drug called dapivirine in slow doses over a month to help prevent HIV infections. Currently costing between $12 to $16, the ring’s affordability is predicted to improve significantly once production ramps up in Africa. Developers are also working on a three-month version to further reduce the yearly cost.

HIV remains a significant health concern in Africa, especially among women of reproductive age. With 60% of new infections occurring in women, the silicone ring offers a discreet and independent prevention option. Ben Phillips, a spokesperson for the UN AIDS agency, highlighted its advantages for women whose partners may not agree to condom use or allow them to take oral preventive medicines.

The World Health Organization has recommended the ring as an additional tool for women at “substantial risk of HIV,” and regulatory approval has been granted in over a dozen African countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. WHO cited two advanced studies in its approval, indicating a one-third reduction in women’s chances of contracting HIV. Additional research suggests the risk could be reduced by more than 50%.

Activists have long advocated for increased access to these silicone rings, staging protests to urge donors to support the cause. With Kiara Health stepping up production, the initiative takes a significant stride toward combating HIV and empowering women with an effective prevention option.”