Stepping up HIV fight

The recent news of Gilead Sciences' groundbreaking new HIV preventative drug, Lenacapavir, offers a beacon of hope in the fight against HIV.

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With a remarkable 96% efficacy in reducing HIV infection and the convenience of only two injections per year, Lenacapavir holds the potential to be a true game-changer in the global effort to halt the transmission of HIV.

Yet for many in developing countries, including Thailand, hope remains distant. Lenacapavir's high cost of about 1.5 million baht per single year, per patient, and limited supply mean fair access is still a pipe dream. While richer nations may benefit soon, others will have to wait, risking serious consequences.

That should not be the case for Thailand. Over the last 30 years, Thailand has made great progress in controlling HIV. Thanks to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), Aids is no longer a deadly disease but something that can be managed.