A study funded by the National Institutes of Health that would test if an antibiotic can prevent sexually transmitted infections in women has been terminated by the Trump administration as part of its ongoing attempt to halt what it considers “diversity, equity and inclusion” in scientific research.
While the drug has been approved for use in men, doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, also called Doxy PEP, has not been approved for use in women because of a lack of clinical research demonstrating that it would be effective. The study, which was to be launched in April, hoped to solve that problem.
The grant termination, which occurred Friday, comes as the public health system tries to find a way to cut increasing rates of babies being born with syphilis, which can lead to lifelong health complications and even death.
