Illinois Rep. Schakowsky Introduces Bill To Encourage Federal Research Into, Authorize Funding for Microbicide Development
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) on Tuesday introduced a House bill that would encourage federal research into the development of microbicides that could help prevent HIV infection among women, CQ HealthBeat reports (CQ HealthBeat, 9/21). Microbicides include a range of products -- such as gels, films, sponges and other products -- that could help prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in women (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 8/16). The Microbicide Development Act would establish a federal plan under which NIH, CDC and USAID would coordinate their microbicide research and develop activities and would create an NIH division dedicated to microbicide research. The bill also would authorize federal funding for the research in fiscal year 2006-2007, with exact amounts to be worked out with NIH (CQ HealthBeat, 9/21).
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