[afro-nets] Workshops on ethical frameworks for HIV Prevention Trials

[Gregg Gonsalves <Greggg@GMHC.org>]

International Consultation and workshops on developing ethical
frameworks for HIV Prevention Trials
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Acknowledging the pressing need to update and clarify ethical
considerations for the conduct of HIV prevention trials, UNAIDS
and other partners are convening a series of consultations. Re-
gional preparatory workshops will take place in Thailand, Nige-
ria and South Africa, prior to an international consultation in
Switzerland during June 2005. The focus of the international
consultation will be on defining principles for future HIV pre-
vention trials (including vaccine, microbicide, male circumci-
sion, sexually transmitted disease treatment, pre-exposure pro-
phylaxis and behavioural prevention trials). The consultation
will build on existing guidelines and experiences in addressing
a range of concerns from the perspectives of various stake-
holders such as researchers, funders, ethicists, trial partici-
pants, people living with HIV, activists and community represen-
tatives.

In recognition of the imperative to meaningfully involve all
sectors in the planning of successful trials, it is intended
that civil society representatives constitute half of the con-
sultation participants. The outcome of the consultation will be
clear guidance to all stakeholders concerning principles, agree-
ments and procedures for the ethical conduct of HIV prevention
trials.

A steering committee has been formed to oversee the organization
of the international consultation and the three regional work-
shops. Members of the steering committee include scientists, ac-
tivists, policy makers and concerned community group representa-
tives. The committee is facilitated by UNAIDS.

The regional workshops which precede the international consulta-
tion will take place in April 2005. UNAIDS and members of re-
gional planning committees are in the process of planning these
workshops, identifying participants and preparing background pa-
pers on pertinent issues. The aim of the regional workshops is
to prepare for and feed into the international consultation
through reflection and discussion on experiences of specific
prevention trials and processes utilized to ensure community in-
volvement. A small delegation of representatives from each re-
gional workshop will participate in the international consulta-
tion, allowing for regional perspectives and conclusions to be
shared and built upon.

UNAIDS is grateful to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
which will be financially supporting these meetings.

A report on the outcomes of the international meeting will be
circulated by UNAIDS later this year.

For more information on either the regional workshops or the in-
ternational consultation please contact:
Kate Thomson <thomsonk@unaids.org> or
Anindya Chatterjee <chatterjeea@unaids.org>