Updated January 2006
The Microbicides Development Act
Are your legislators signed on yet?
If passed, the Microbicide Development Act (MDA) will help ensure that the U.S. government's commitment to microbicide research and development is increased substantially. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women could apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections. Microbicides could come in a variety of forms, including gels, creams or rings that would release the drug slowly over days or weeks. Right now, barely 2% of the US budget for HIV/AIDS research -- two cents of every dollar -- is spent on developing microbicides. With the support this bill provides, we could have an effective microbicide on the market by the end of the decade. Without it, it's likely to take a lot longer!
Why the Act?
Three federal agencies do microbicide research and development -- the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH spends the lion's share of federal dollars in this area. In promoting the issue and fostering scientific inquiry, NIH leadership is key. Right now, microbicide research at NIH is conducted under several institutes with no single line of administrative accountability, no specific funding coordination, highly variable levels of interest and commitment across institute leadership, and some degree of competition. Over the last two years the CDC and USAID have expanded their microbicide portfolios. Without overall federal coordination of the type required by the MDA, costly inefficiencies and unproductive duplication of effort may result.
What does the Act do?
1. Establishes a dedicated unit to microbicide research and development within the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases -thus creating a single line of administrative accountability and funding coordination. 2. Authorizes funding increases as needed at the CDC, NIH and USAID for the development of microbicidal products; and 3. Requires coordination between NIH and other Federal agencies supporting microbicide development, including the CDC and USAID. Help put the power of prevention in women’s hands… Ask your legislators to sign on to the Microbicide Development Act!
Overall, the goal of the bill is to achieve better coordination and expanded resources for microbicide research and development activities at the NIH, CDC and USAID.
Current status in the Senate:
On March 8, 2005, International Women’s Day, Senator Jon Corzine [NJ], Senator Barack Obama [IL], and Senator Olympia Snowe [ME] introduced the Microbicide Development Act in the U.S. Senate. The number assigned to the bill is S. 550. As of December 2005, the bill's co-sponsors include 20 Senators: Barbara Boxer [CA] Dianne Feinstein [CA] Christopher J. Dodd [CT] Joseph Lieberman [CT] Richard J. Durbin [IL] Barack Obama [IL] Edward Kennedy [MA] John F. Kerry [MA] Barbara A. Mikulski [MD] Paul Sarbanes [MD] Olympia Snowe [ME] Senator Jon Corzine [NJ] Frank R. Lautenberg [NJ] Jeff Bingaman [NM] Hillary R. Clinton [NY] Charles Schumer [NY] Gordon Smith [OR] Patrick J. Leahy [VT] Maria Cantwell [WA] Patty Murray [WA]
Global Campaign for Microbicides. 3 January 2006. Reproduction encouraged. For info contact: info@global-campaign.org Updates available at: www.global-campaign.org/download.htm
Current status in the House:
The MDA was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 21, 2005 by Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL). The House Resolution number assigned to the bill is H.R. 3854. As of December 2005, list of original co-sponsors included 39 Representatives: Raul M. Grijalva [AZ-7] George Miller [CA-7] Barbara Lee [CA-9] Tom Lantos [CA-12] Fortney Pete Stark [CA-13] Michael M Honda [CA-15] Howard L. Berman [CA-28] Henry A. Waxman [CA-30] Hilda Solis [CA-32] Juanita Millender-McDonald [CA-37] Bob Filner [CA-51] John B. Larson [CT-1] Christopher Shays [CT-4] Robert Wexler [FL-19] John Linder [GA-7] James A. Leach [IA-2] Bobby L. Rush [IL-1] Jesse L. Jr Jackson [IL-2] Luis V. Gutierrez [IL-4] Rahm Emanuel [IL-5] Danny K. Davis [IL-7] Melissa L. Bean [IL-8] Janice D. Schakowsky [IL-9] Mark Steven Kirk [IL-10] Lane Evans [IL-17] Dennis Moore [KS-3] James P. McGovern [MA-3] Barney Frank [MA-4] Chris Van Hollen [MD-8] Donald M. Payne [NJ-10] Major R. Owens [NY-11] Carolyn B. Maloney [NY-14] Michael R. McNulty [NY-21] Joseph Crowley [NY-7] Sherrod Brown [OH-13] Chaka Fattah [PA-2] Allyson Y. Schwartz [PA-13] Brian Baird [WA-3] Jim McDermott [WA-7]
What can you do to help?
Please contact your Legislators to urge them to support the new Microbicides Development Act by signing onto the MDA. Be sure to visit http://www.global-campaign.org/get_involved.htm to find the latest information and download a factsheet that you can give to your legislator. E-mail your legislators automatically on this issue, by visiting
http://www.global-campaign.org/get_involved.htm and clicking on “write your Congressperson”
Write to your legislators. To see a sample letter, go to the web site above. If you need their names, addresses and phone numbers, go to http://thomas.loc.gov. Once there, click on "House" under “Quick Links” and then select your state. This will forward you to their contact information. Call your legislators and leave a message. It could be as simple as: "I am calling to ask Representative/Senator ___________ to cosponsor the Microbicide Development Act. This bill can really make a difference in addressing the global AIDS epidemic. Check the list of co-sponsors on the top of this fact sheet to see if your Senators and Representatives are already co-sponsors. If so, please take a moment to thank him/her. This will help assure on-going support. Your message could be: "I appreciate your leadership in co-sponsoring the Microbicide Development Act. This can really make a difference in addressing the global HIV epidemic. Thank you!" Visit your Legislators and tell them or their staff in person why you feel this issue is so important. Make an appointment just by calling the local office (listed in the phone book). Ask to set up a time to meet with whomever handles health issues. Be sure to mention that you live in the Representative's district because they are always willing to make time for constituents. We will be glad to help you prepare for your visit and supply briefing materials.
Want more information?
The Global Campaign for Microbicides is a broad-based, international effort to increase access to HIV and STI prevention technologies. Please contact us! Global Campaign for Microbicides – www.global-campaign.org c/o PATH, 1800 K Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006 USA Phone: +1 (202) 822-0033 Fax: +1 (202) 457-1466 Email: info@global-campaign.org
Global Campaign for Microbicides. 3 January 2006. Reproduction encouraged. For info contact: info@global-campaign.org Updates available at: www.global-campaign.org/download.htm