In a show of increasing support for one of the most promising technologies currently in development in the fight against AIDS, the Senate approved $42 million for USAID to continue research and development of microbicides for FY 2006. The sum is a $12 million increase over the 2005 level, and $6 million above the amount approved by the House for FY 06. $4 million of the increase is designated for the International Partnership for Microbicides, with the remainder going to other USAID supported NGOs conducting trials of several promising microbicide candidates. USAID is currently funding four Phase III clinical trials to study the effectiveness of potential microbicides.
