New guidance on ethical HIV research

A full package of effective HIV prevention interventions must be offered to people taking part in HIV prevention trials under new guidance from UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO), Aidsmap reports. The guidance clarifies that researchers must ensure access to all the standard prevention methods recommended by WHO even if one or more of those methods is not routinely available in the country where the research is being conducted. The current package includes male condoms, female condoms, lubricants, post-exposure prophylaxis, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, vaginal rings, treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and (in eastern and southern Africa only) voluntary medical male circumcision. Any departure from this package needs to be based on a compelling rationale and be approved by community representatives and other stakeholders (Aidsmap, 29 January 2021).