Lenacapavir, the world's first HIV prevention drug given as a six-monthly injection, is set to be rolled out in Zimbabwe, one of the first countries selected. "We are pleased to announce that Zimbabwe has been selected... this is a groundbreaking development in the fight against HIV," the US embassy in the capital Harare said on X.
Zimbabwe currently has 1.3 million people living with HIV, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). However, public health expert Ponesai Nyika said the country has a “very strong HIV response infrastructure,” recently achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target, meaning 95% of people living with HIV know their status; 95% of those who know they are infected are on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment; and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
The introduction of lenacapavir is expected to give a major boost to Zimbabwe's efforts to eliminate HIV infections. "The support from strong partners such as PEPFAR (the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and other local organisations... provides a strong foundation for the introduction of lenacapavir," Mr Nyika added.
The rollout in Zimbabwe will target vulnerable groups such as adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has hailed lenacapavir as a transformational step in protecting people at risk of HIV. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called it “the next best thing” to a vaccine. UNAIDS Deputy Director Angeli Achrekar described it as a “potential miracle drug”, stressing that its “near 100% effectiveness in preventing new infections is unprecedented”.
This effectiveness was demonstrated in two large trials in sub-Saharan Africa and in the US, where the drug was found to be over 99% effective. Nyika explains that a big advantage of the drug is that the injections are given twice a year, which significantly reduces non-compliance rates.
However, there are still doubts about the cost and accessibility. “I am sure it is only for the rich,” said one Ugandan citizen. The drug now costs $40 a year, down from the original estimate of $28,000 a year.
Mr Nyika asserted that "the data shows that lenacapavir is very safe and well tolerated", and called on countries to be transparent about side effects. He also suggested that countries negotiate, produce locally and take advantage of funds such as PEPFAR or the Global Fund to reduce costs and ensure equitable access.
Lenacapavir, which is expected to be rolled out in 120 low- and middle-income countries by 2027, is expected to significantly reduce the 1.3 million new HIV infections a year. Other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda and South Africa are also on the list for rollout by January 2026.
PV (synthesis)Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/thuoc-tiem-ngua-hiv-sap-trien-khai-tai-zimbabwe-va-mot-so-nuoc-chau-phi-524043.html
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