A South African company will make vaginal rings that protect against HIV, which AIDS experts say should eventually make them cheaper and more readily available.
The Population Council announced Thursday that Kiara Health of Johannesburg will start making the silicone rings in the next few years, estimating that 1 million could be produced annually.
The nonprofit council owns the rights to the rings, which are now made by a Swedish company.
About 500,00 rings are currently available to women in Africa at no cost, purchased by donors.
Last year, activists charged the stage in a protest during last year's biggest AIDS meeting, calling on donors to buy the silicone rings for African women.
Persons:
Ben Phillips
Organizations:
Population, World Health Organization, WHO, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP
Locations:
Johannesburg, Swedish, Africa, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe