EmpoweRING – Prevention by Choice – South Africa approves the use of Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for Women and Girls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kampala, Uganda, March 29^th 2022.

ICWEA applauds South African Health Products Regulatory Authority’s (SAHPRA) for the approval of The Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) as an additional HIV prevention option for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (aged 18 and older). The Dapivirine Vaginal Ring is the first women controlled, long-term prevention option available and was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 for use as an additional HIV prevention tool.

With Zimbabwe and now South Africa leading the way as first countries to getting the Dapivirine DVR closer to the communities, we’re giving hope to Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Eastern and Southern African Countries, who continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic.

This milestone is essential to the East African Region, where countries are making strides in the review processes to adopting the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV prevention use. Following South Africa’s achievement, we call upon countries in the region to fast track the licensure processes and the necessary steps towards the introduction and eventual rollout of the DVR.

Additionally, this approval comes in time as the region comes together for PEPFAR Country Operational Planning 2022, an exceptional opportunity to advance DVR introductions and making this option a reality for women in the Eastern and Southern Africa Regions. The more the introduction on new HIV prevention tools such as the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring and the long acting injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) delays, the more we put women’s and Key and Vulnerable Populations’ lives at risk. We must continue to put HIV Prevention at the core of every business.

If successfully rolled out with respect to the urgency, the ring could have a meaningful public health impact as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy. ICWEA joins hands with partners across the globe to ensure equitable access to the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring and promote choices and options for Adolescent Women and Girls.

Contacts

IPM’s announcement: https://www.ipmglobal.org/content/south-africa-approves-dapivirine-vaginal-ring-use-women