Uganda has announced a groundbreaking scientific and medical advancement that could dramatically change the fight against HIV with an injectable drug that offers complete protection from the virus with just two doses a year.
The Uganda AIDS Commission revealed that Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), has demonstrated 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection during recent research.
Administered once every six months, the drug eliminates the need for daily pills or frequent visits to clinics, offering a more convenient and reliable option for those most at risk.
โThis is a significant milestone in HIV prevention. Once these critical steps are completed, Lenacapavir will be seamlessly integrated into Ugandaโs HIV prevention program,โ the Commission stated.
The drug has already been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Uganda is now taking steps to ensure its local availability through regulatory review and health system integration.
Ugandaโs Ministry of Health, in collaboration with stakeholders, is preparing to update national guidelines, train healthcare providers, and include Lenacapavir in the countryโs essential drugs list.
Tools for data collection are also being revised to allow for effective monitoring and accountability as the drug becomes available.
While the integration process is underway, Uganda is already making bold strides to ensure long-term access to the injection, not just for itself, but for the entire continent.
Dei Biopharma, a local pharmaceutical firm, has announced it will begin producing a generic version of Lenacapavir, branded as Yeztugo, at a price of less than $50 per year. This stands in stark contrast to the current global cost of approximately $28,000 annually.
โThis is more than just making medicine; itโs about saving lives and changing the story of healthcare in Africa,โ said Dr. Matthias Magoola, founder and managing director of Dei Biopharma.
His company is taking advantage of Ugandaโs eligibility under the World Trade Organizationโs TRIPS agreement, which allows Least Developed Countries to manufacture patented medicines without legal barriers until 2034.
The move has been widely welcomed by public health leaders and other leaders including UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, who praised the development.
โIt doesnโt matter how revolutionary a drug is if ordinary people canโt afford it. Ugandaโs approach is a much-needed model for health equity in the global South.
With full backing from President Yoweri Museveni and fast-tracked support for local production, Uganda expects to begin rolling out the affordable version of Lenacapavir within the next 18 months.
If successful, this twice-a-year injection could become one of the most powerful tools in eliminating new HIV infections, not only in Uganda, but across Africa and beyond.
