Editorial Note: With this post Rewire welcomes its newest staff blogger, Tyler LePard. Tyler has worked in and volunteered with a variety of reproductive health organizations, as well as in other progressive causes. She has her BA from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Public Policy from George Washington Univeristy. We are pleased she has joined our team and we know you will look forward to reading her posts.

If you happened to read a press release from Instead Sciences, Inc. on Business Wire a couple of days ago, you may have gotten very excited about the first approved microbicide about to hit the market. But hold on a minute – settle down and prepare for disappointment. This was just a misunderstanding – a tweaking, if you will, by some PR people.

When Tommy Thompson (the Chair of Instead Sciences, Inc.) said "Amphora — which already has FDA safety clearance for human use — is in the best position to be the first approved microbicide", apparently what he really meant is that Amphora has been approved as a sexual lubricant… and that they might know something about its effectiveness in preventing infection (such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) by the year 2010. MAYBE. It should be noted that they have agreed to correct their news release.

Anna Forbes, Global North Programs Coordinator for the Global Campaign for Microbicides reminds us that "unfortunately, NO PROVEN MICROBICIDE (with well documented evidence of both safety and effectiveness against HIV) IS YET AVAILABLE. "

So, keep crossing your fingers and wait for more scientific testing… and hope that no one is fooled by some irresponsible press.