File #: Res 0363-2004    Version: * Name: Microbicide Development Act, (S.859)
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 5/19/2004
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution urging the United States Senate to adopt S. 859, also referred to as the Microbicide Development Act, which would achieve better coordination of and provide expanded resources for microbicides research and development activities.
Sponsors: Margarita Lopez, Bill Perkins
Council Member Sponsors: 2

Res. No. 363

 

Resolution urging the United States Senate to adopt S. 859, also referred to as the Microbicide Development Act, which would achieve better coordination of and provide expanded resources for microbicides research and development activities.

 

By Council Members Lopez and Perkins

Whereas, Microbicides refers to a range of different products that have the ability to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) when applied topically; and

Whereas, Scientists are seriously pursuing nearly 60 product leads, including at least eleven that have proven safe and effective in animals and are now being tested in people; and

Whereas, The Reproductive Health Technologies Project estimates that if one of these leads proves successful and investment is sufficient, a microbicide could be available by 2007; and

Whereas, Microbicide research and development currently receive only 2 percent of the AIDS research budget of the National Institutes of Health, not nearly enough to keep pace with public health needs and scientific opportunities; and

Whereas, The American Social Health Association (ASHA) reports that the estimated total number of people living in the United States with an incurable STD is over 65 million; and

Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are approximately 800,000 to 900,000 individuals living with HIV in the United States today; and

Whereas, According to the CDC, each year in the United States, over 15 million new STDs are acquired, including approximately 40,000 new HIV infections; and

Whereas, ASHA estimates that at least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives; and

Whereas, ASHA reports that less than half of adults ages 18 to 44 have ever been tested for an STD other than HIV/AIDS; and

Whereas, According to ASHA, STDs, other than HIV, and their complications cost more than $8 billion each year to diagnose and treat; and

Whereas, The increasing number of people living with HIV/AIDS as a result of better treatments has created a greater need to fund STD prevention programs and research; and

Whereas, Existing STD prevention methods, male condoms and mutual monogamy, cannot be used without the cooperation of a partner; and

Whereas, The availability of microbicides would offer women more control to protect their health against STD infection; and

Whereas, A bill currently before the United States Senate, S. 859, would require the Director of the Office of AIDS Research to expedite the development and implementation of a Federal strategic plan for the conduct and support of microbicide research at the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the United States Agency for International Development, and establish a Microbicide Development Branch of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges the United States Senate to adopt S. 859, also referred to as the Microbicide Development Act, which would achieve better coordination of and provide expanded resources for microbicides research and development activities.

 

DP

5/12/04

LS #634