Revolutionary HIV injection rollout begins

SOUTH Africa, Eswatini and Zambia yesterday began administering a groundbreaking HIV-prevention injection in the drug's first public rollouts in Africa, which has the world's highest HIV burden.

- AFP

A HANDOUT photo made available on September 19, by Unitaid/Gilead Sciences, Inc shows the generic version of the new HIV prevention tool, injectable lenacapavir, which will be available at a cost of 40 USD per year¹ in 120 low- and middle-income countries starting in 2027. I AFP

(AFP)

Lenacapavir, which is taken twice a year, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9%, making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine.

In South Africa, where one in five adults lives with HIV, a Wits University research unit oversaw the rollout as part of an initiative funded by the international health agency Unitaid, which works on ensuring equitable access to medical innovations.

"The first individuals have begun using lenacapavir for HIV prevention in South Africa ... making it among the first real-world use of the six-monthly injectable in lowand middle-income countries," Unitaid said in a statement.

It did not specify how many people received the first doses of the drug, which cost $28 000 per person a year in the United States.

A broader national rollout is expected next year.