June 2014Marc-André LeBlanc

What’s being doneabout

lubricant safety?

Today…

• What is IRMA doing?• What are others doing?• What can YOU do?• 2014: The Year We Make Progress?

What is IRMA doing?

Key materials and updates

2007 survey Lube Safety Working

Group

Research agenda on lubricant safety

Global Call to Action on Lubricant Safety

Lube access

Engage regulators, manufacturers,

researchers

irma-rectalmicrobicides.blogspot.com

Lube survey (2007)… the gift that keeps on giving!

• General findings:– Presented in our 2008 report– Published in 2010– Used to decide which lubes to test

• Data among women presented at AIDS2010

• Data from L. America• Qualitative data presented at

M2012

Lube survey (2007)… the gift that keeps on giving!

oSafety of lubricants for rectal use: A fact sheet for HIV educators and advocates

oSafety of lubricants for rectal use: Questions & Answers for HIV educators and advocates

rectalmicrobicides.org

60 researchers & advocates from a dozen countries

Lube Safety Working Group

Determine which tests should be used assess lube safety Including oil- and silicone-based products Including STIs and HIV

Assess lubes based on those tests Test more products Test in labs, animals, humans Take into account how lubes are used

LUBE SAFETY RESEARCH AGENDAPotential

What are others doing?

WHO/UNFPA/FHI Advisory Note

• Aimed at WHO Member States considering bulk purchasing with condoms

• NOT aimed at individuals

U.S. government

• CDC– Created time-limited internal working group– Made internal recommendations based on review of

existing data– Conducted a monkey study

• Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC)– Issued a policy statement– Identified the need for more research

2014: The Year We Make Progress?

2014: The Year We Make Progress?

• Update to WHO/UNFPA/FHI guidance• Results from U.S. study– Exploring link between lube use and rectal STIs

• Leveraging these and other interest (e.g., OGAC) to adopt a Lube Safety Research Agenda?

What can YOU do?

• Read our lube factsheet and Q&A• Listen to one of IRMA’s webinars,

available on our website• Check out—and use—the GLAM

Toolkit• Share it all with your colleagues• Join the Lube Safety Working

Group

Get in on the lube-tastic action!

Thank you

maleblanc27@yahoo.ca