A vaginal ring could one day offer women dual protection against HIV infection and unwanted pregnancies. Unless this happens.

South Africans are waiting and willing to help but the Medicines Control Council drags its heels.

The quest for a cream or gel to prevent Aids infection has narrowed to using powerful HIV pills that are already on the market, scientists say.

New research has concluded that the vaginal microbicide gel, PRO 2000, does not prevent HIV infection in women, a study released on Monday said.

A microbicide study involving 11 000 women from six African countries will present its results in November.

The first microbicide to reach the final phase of testing has failed to prevent HIV transmission, researchers announced this week.