Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate the Dapivirine vaginal ring will be available to women (1) in the UK, and (2) abroad; and what plans they have to ensure that it is free at the point of delivery.

The Government has no specific plans to make the Dapivirine vaginal ring available to women in the United Kingdom. The Dapivirine Vaginal Ring 25mg was approved in accordance with the legal basis of Article 58 of Regulation (EC) No 726/2004. This legal basis is intended exclusively for markets outside the European community. The product is not authorised in the UK and the company have not sought a specific medical authorisation in the UK. However, the Government remains committed to reaching zero new HIV transmissions in England by 2030. Careful consideration will be given to the recommendations made in the independent HIV Commission’s recently published report on reaching the 2030 target as we develop the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and HIV Action Plan, which we plan to publish in 2021.

In terms of the use of this product abroad, the decision on whether or not to use the product and its availability is a matter for national regulators. It is anticipated rollout of the Dapivirine vaginal ring to some African countries may begin by mid-2021. The cost of the ring has been kept as low as possible. The goal is for the ring to be publicly funded and provided to women at no cost.