International Rectal Microbicides Working Group

Convened by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the Canadian AIDS Society, the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project and the Global Campaign for Microbicides in the spring of 2005, the International Rectal Microbicides Working Group (IRMWG) is a coalition numbering nearly 400 advocates, policymakers, and leading scientists from 35 countries on 5 continents working to advance a robust rectal microbicide research and development agenda.

The IRMWG hosts a moderated listserv and sponsors regular international conference calls featuring presentations on the latest in rectal microbicide research. Cutting edge research on new prevention technologies like pre-exposure prophylaxis and male circumcision is also featured.

Objectives

 * To advocate for accelerated research, development and access to safe and effective rectal microbicides
 * To promote rectal safety studies on all viable vaginal candidate microbicides
 * To support, where appropriate, the research of other new prevention technologies, such as vaccines and oral prevention (PrEP), and to promote existing prevention methods such as male and female condoms as part of a range of prevention options
 * To serve as a central forum for exchange, debate, and networking on rectal microbicides
 * To convene diverse perspectives and scientific disciplines to improve understanding and action

Lube Survey
The IRMWG is currently collecting data about the use of sexual lubricants in order to steer further research into the safety of various lubricants for rectal use. The survey is being conducted via the web, and is available in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, German, and Turkish

Steering Committee Members

 * Jim Pickett, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago/US - Chair
 * Jonathan Berger, AIDS Law Project, Braamfontein/South Africa
 * Manju Chatani, African Microbicides Advocacy Group, Accra/Ghana
 * Julie Davids, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project, Providence/US
 * Jerome Galea, University of California Los Angeles Program in Global Health, Lima/Peru
 * Dr. Pamina Gorbach, University of California Los Angeles/US
 * Bridget Haire, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Sydney/Australia - Vice Chair
 * Anuchit Jittrathanakul, Population Services International Bangkok/Thailand
 * Dr. Rowena Johnston, amFAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research, NYC/US
 * Rick Jones, GNP+, Amsterdam/Netherlands
 * Jeremy Kwan, PT Foundation - MSM Programme, Kuala Lumpur/Malaysia
 * MarcAndre LeBlanc, Global Campaign for Microbicides, Ottawa/Canada - Secretary
 * Dr. Ken Mayer, Brown University, Fenway Community Health, Boston/US
 * Dr. Ian McGowan, University of California Los Angeles/US
 * Kim Mulji, NAZ Foundation International, London/UK – Treasurer
 * John Shaw, advocate, San Francisco/US
 * Roy Wadia, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver/Canada