HK set for role in trials of male pill
Hong Kong men could play an important part in global trials of a male pill tipped to revolutionise contraception, the local-born inventor of the method says.
University of Manchester senior lecturer in endocrinology Dr Fred Wu, the son of former legislator and urban councillor Alex Wu Shu-chih, said an effective male pill could be just three years away.
Injected forms of his testosterone-based contraceptive were already 99 per cent effective, and researchers in Manchester are working on pills, patches and implants to cut sperm production.
The World Health Organisation has hailed the injections, developed in 1996, as being 'as effective as the female pill'.
Dr Wu said: 'The progress we have made is mainly in new forms of delivery to get closer to a marketable product. There are now two major pharmaceutical companies which are working with us on this. This is a complete turnaround because, in the past, the companies have believed there was no future in male contraceptives.' The success of trials involving more than 1,000 volunteers and widespread male interest convinced drug giants Organon and Schering to become involved.
'When we made a request for volunteers, the switchboard was jammed for several days,' Dr Wu said.
'It may be that society's attitudes have changed and [the drug companies] want to be part of the future revolution.' Current trials involve pills combined with skin patches, and injections given every two to three months. Planning is under way for implants which last 12 months. The next phase of testing will involve several thousand men of varying ethnic backgrounds.
The contraceptive proves most effective in achieving zero sperm counts in Chinese men, Dr Wu said.
'We don't know all the answers, but there are definite ethnic differences in handling drugs,' he said.
'China is involved and Hong Kong is now a part of China, so it's very likely that Hong Kong can make a telling contribution in this area.
'The Chinese Government is very keen to promote family planning. Since Hong Kong can bridge China and the West, it's logical Hong Kong would become involved in this area.' Dr Wu attended Wah Yan College in Kowloon before moving to Britain to study at 13.
His father, an urban councillor from 1973 to 1976, legislator from 1975 to 1985 and stock exchange vice-chairman in 1992 and 1993, lobbied for the expansion of medical education in Hong Kong.
