A groundbreaking agreement promises to revolutionize HIV prevention in low- and middle-income countries. Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug, will soon be available at a drastically reduced cost, offering hope to millions previously unable to access this life-saving treatment.
Currently priced at a prohibitive $28,000 annually, Lenacapavir's cost will plummet to a mere $40 per person per year. This dramatic price reduction, facilitated by a partnership between the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Gates Foundation, and the South African research institute Wits RHI, will see the drug rolled out across 120 countries by 2027.
The game-changing injection, approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission, delivers six months of protection with just two doses per year. This contrasts sharply with the current oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication, which requires daily doses and faces challenges in adherence and stigma. The Gates Foundation highlights the stark reality that only 18% of those who could benefit from PrEP currently have access.
Professor Saiqa Mullick from Wits RHI emphasizes the transformative potential of Lenacapavir, particularly for vulnerable populations like adolescents, young women, LGBT individuals, sex workers, and people who use drugs. She notes that the successful implementation requires strong partnerships with communities and governments to ensure effective distribution and system readiness.
Lenacapavir's mechanism involves preventing the HIV virus from replicating within cells. Studies indicate that increasing access to the injection, even to just 4% of the population in high-risk areas, could prevent up to 20% of new HIV infections. It's also noteworthy that the drug has the potential to treat those already infected with HIV.
This landmark achievement comes at a crucial time for global health. Following funding cuts, the fight against HIV/AIDS necessitates innovative solutions to make effective treatments accessible and affordable to all. With over 40 million people currently living with HIV and nearly 1.3 million new infections annually, the impact of Lenacapavir could be immeasurable, particularly in countries like South Africa, which carries the highest burden of HIV cases.
South Africa's Department of Health has expressed its strong support for this initiative, underscoring the global commitment to making life-saving treatments accessible to all who need them.
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Originally published at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmzn8802d7o
