[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  MICROBICIDES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
``Microbicides Development Act of 2001''. I am pleased to be joined by 
many of my good friends and colleagues who have signed on as original 
cosponsors to this legislation. My thanks go to them.
  Mr. Speaker, this week the United Nations convened a special session 
of the U.N. General Assembly to address how to combat the spreading 
HIV/AIDS epidemic.
  We have entered the third decade in the battle against HIV/AIDS. June 
5, 1981 marked the first reported case of AIDS by the Centers for 
Disease Control. Since that time, over 400,000 people have died in the 
United States. Globally 21.8 million people have died of AIDS.
  Tragically, women now represent the fastest growing group of new HIV 
infections in the United States and women of color are 
disproportionately at risk. In the developing world women now account 
for more than half of HIV infections and there is growing evidence that 
the position of women in developing societies will be a critical factor 
in shaping the course of the AIDS pandemic.
  So what can women do? Women need and deserve access to a prevention 
method that is within their personal control. Women are the only group 
of people at risk who are expected to protect themselves without any 
tools to do so. We must strengthen women's immediate ability to protect 
themselves--including providing new woman-controlled technologies. One 
such technology does exist called microbicides.
  The Microbicides Development Act of 2001 which I am introducing, will 
encourage federal investment for this critical research, with the 
establishment of programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through the work of 
the NIH, non-profit research institutions, and the private sector, a 
number of microbicide products are poised for successful development. 
But this support is no longer enough for actually getting microbicides 
through the development ``pipeline'' and into the hands of the millions 
who could benefit from them. Microbicides can only be brought to market 
if the federal government helps support critical safety and efficacy 
testing.
  Health advocates around the world are convinced that microbicides 
could have a significant impact on HIV/AlDs and sexually transmitted 
diseases (STDs).
  Researchers have identified almost 60 microbicides, topical creams 
and gels that could be used to prevent the spread of HIV and other STDs 
such as chlamydia and herpes, but interest in the private sector in 
microbicides research has been lacking.
  According to the Alliance for Microbicide Development, 38 biotech 
companies, 28 not-for-profit groups and seven public agencies are 
investigating microbicides, and Phase III clinical trials have begun on 
four of the most promising compounds. The studies will evaluate the 
compounds' efficacy and acceptability and will include consumer 
education as part of the compounds' development. However, it will be at 
least two years before any compound trials are completed.
  Currently, the bulk of funds for microbicide research comes from 
NIH--nearly $25 million per year--and the Global Microbicide Project, 
which was established with a $35 million grant from the Bill and 
Melinda Gates Foundation. However, more money is needed to bring the 
microbicides to market. Health advocates have asked NIH to increase the 
current budget for research to $75 million per year.
  Mr. Speaker, today, the United States has the highest incidence of 
STDs in the industrialized world--annually it is estimated that 15.4 
million Americans acquired a new STD. STDs cause serious, costly, even 
deadly conditions for women and their children, including infertility, 
pregnancy complications, cervical cancer, infant mortality, and higher 
risk of contracting HIV.
  This legislation has the potential to save billions in health care 
costs. Direct cost to the U.S. economy of STDs and HIV infection, is 
approximately $8.4 billion. When the indirect costs, such as lost 
productivity, are included that figure rises to an estimated $20 
billion.
  With sufficient investment, a microbicide could be available around 
the world within five years.
  I urge my colleagues to lend their support to this vital legislation.

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