The agreement signed between US pharmaceutical company Gilead and the Global Fund will help low-income countries gain access to a breakthrough HIV prevention drug. The pharmaceutical company Gilead and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have just completed a deal to provide the HIV vaccine lenacapavir to up to 2 million people over the next three years, in countries supported by the Fund - mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.
"This is the first time in history that an HIV prevention product has been introduced in low- and middle-income countries at the same time as high-income countries," the Global Fund said.
Medications to prevent HIV transmission—known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP)—have been around for more than a decade. But because they are typically taken as a single pill every day, they have yet to have a significant impact on global infections.
In contrast, lenacapavir (brand name Yeztugo) requires only two injections a year and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June. Trials showed that the drug can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 99.9% in adults and adolescents.
Under the agreement, countries supported by the Global Fund will have access to lenacapavir for PrEP treatment. The Global Fund confirmed that the first batch of the drug will be shipped to at least one African country by the end of this year.
The Global Fund said the event marked the beginning of a shift in how HIV prevention services are delivered to countries at highest risk of new infections.
This is particularly urgent in countries like South Africa, where adolescent girls and young women are disproportionately affected by HIV. "This is a turning point for South Africa. Lenacapavir provides young women and those at risk with a discreet, long-acting solution to remain HIV-free," said South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/cac-nuoc-thu-nhap-thap-sap-duoc-tiep-can-thuoc-phong-hiv-moi-post648578.html
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