In a major step for global HIV prevention, Eswatini and Zambia have received the first doses of lenacapavir, a drug that offers near-complete protection with just two injections per year.
The U.S. State Department had announced that each country has received 500 doses of the breakthrough medication, manufactured by Gilead Sciences. Lenacapavir, praised for its ability to provide long-acting HIV prevention, represents a significant advancement in the global fight against the virus.
The Executive Director of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC), Mitchell Warren, said, “This is somewhat unprecedented, to see an innovation in global health move this fast to low- and middle-income countries”.
He described the shipments as an initial step toward the goal of delivering 2 million doses to high-burden countries by 2028, in collaboration with the Global Fund, Gilead Sciences, and the U.S. government.
While the rollout marks a milestone, experts caution that challenges remain. Warren noted that previous disruptions in HIV programs, exacerbated by foreign aid cuts, have left gaps in healthcare systems, which could hinder rapid deployment of the new drug to those most at risk.
The State Department says it plans to continue scaling up deliveries, aiming to provide more than half a million doses next year. Lenacapavir has also been submitted for approval in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, targeting the 18 countries that represent 70% of the HIV epidemic.
Health ministries, with support from community organizations and NGOs, are expected to oversee distribution to ensure the medication reaches those in need. Officials stress that access, along with sustained political and financial support, will be key to making lenacapavir a game-changer in HIV prevention.
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