Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire, Monday, 2 December 1996, 8:31 A.M. EDT
FHC and UNAIDS first agreed to explore the possibilities for a public sector price in September 1996. From an inquiry made to 160 U.N. member states, some 80 have already responded to the initiative, identifying an overall requirement for more than seven million female condoms in 1997, almost half of which have funding in place.
Announcement of the agreement coincides with publication of the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report, in which UNAIDS recognizes the major role the female condom needs to play in increasing HIV/AIDS prevention options for women. UNAIDS estimates that nearly 50 percent of new HIV infections are in women. The female condom is the only woman-controlled product that provides protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, as well as unintended pregnancy. Studies have shown that when the female condom is available as an option, the number of unprotected sex acts decreases. As a result, interest in the female condom has proven high in many public sector markets.
Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, said, "Making the female condom more accessible is an important step forward in increasing the prevention arsenal for women. The female condom, along with other approaches...is especially important in cultures and situations in which women have limited control over sexual decisions."
Dr. Mary Ann Leeper, president and COO of the Female Health Company, said, "We are delighted with the agreement. We are committed to providing the appropriate resources and support to enhance the availability and use of the female condom in developing countries."
The Female Health Company, based in Chicago, owns the worldwide rights to the female condom including patents which have been issued in the U.S., Japan, The European Union, The People's Republic of China, Canada and Australia. The female condom is known as Reality in the U.S., femy in Spain and Femidom across the rest of the world. It is currently available in 14 countries. The Female Health Company is the parent company of the product's London-based manufacturer, Chartex International, and is dedicated to identifying, developing and marketing unique products that will help women across the world stay healthy and enhance their lives. SOURCE The Female Health Company
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