A major international health organization announced Tuesday it’s dramatically expanding distribution of an innovative HIV prevention medication, with plans to serve 3 million individuals worldwide by 2028.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria revealed that shipments of lenacapavir have already arrived in nine African nations. The organization plans to extend distribution to 12 more countries, encompassing the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Indonesia, Morocco, Rwanda, and Thailand.
Last July, the Global Fund and pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences completed arrangements to distribute lenacapavir across low-income nations, with an initial commitment to supply sufficient medication for up to 2 million individuals over a three-year period.
The medication represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention, administered as an injection under the skin just twice annually. This approach addresses challenges linked to daily oral prevention medications, including missed doses and supply chain difficulties.
Preliminary program statistics show the treatment is gaining strong acceptance among key target groups, particularly expectant and nursing mothers, teenage girls and young women, and individuals receiving HIV prevention medication for the first time.
To ensure broader availability and lower costs, Gilead has authorized multiple manufacturers to create generic alternatives of lenacapavir, the Global Fund reported.
“By expanding our supplier base through both the original and generic manufacturers, we are working to ensure sustainable, affordable access at scale,” said Hui Yang, head of supply operations at Global Fund.
