PNAC, AIDS group procuring vaccines amid HIV emergency

THE PHILIPPINE National AIDS Council (PNAC) and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines on Thursday said the procurement of the vaccine lenacapavir is underway following the rapid spike of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the country.

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"Just an update on the lenacapavir - under the Global Fund project, which we still have, we will procure and start FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval for this year," AHF Philippines Program Officer Neoman Roxas said during a forum on the national HIV emergency.

"So, hopefully next year we will already have supplies to test here in the Philippines," he added.

Mr. Roxas said the procurement is part of the three-year Global Fund project for the Philippines, which is set to end next year. The project includes operational and financial support for programs for HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, and malaria.

The Council and the Department of Health (DoH) are also planning to push for higher funding in 2026 to fund the procurement and support other initiatives to address the country's growing HIV problem, PNAC Executive Director Joselito R. Feliciano said.