While at the 2015 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic InfectionsExit Disclaimer (CROI) this week in Seattle, Dr. Ronald Valdiserri, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Douglas Brooks, Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP).

Amidst presentations on the latest advances in HIV science from around the world, they discussed the important role that science plays in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy of “on-demand” dosing, while the disappointing results from findings reported from the FACTS001 trialExit Disclaimer of a vaginal gel formulation of PrEP, that did not demonstrate a reduction in HIV infections due to adherence and other challenges. The latter, he remarked, underscores the importance of continuing to pursue novel technologies to benefit women around the world and at home.

With regard to plans for updating the NHAS, Director Brooks explains that there is general agreement that the Strategy’s goals are the right ones and that the focus in the months ahead will be around conversations with federal and community stakeholders about how we can continue to move forward.