Uganda Approves Revolutionary Six-Month HIV Prevention Injection
In a significant advancement for HIV prevention, the Uganda National Drug Authority has approved the use of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). The approval, granted on Monday, paves the way for the rollout of the first HIV prevention method requiring just two doses a year.
The twice-yearly injection offers a major alternative to current daily oral PrEP pills, aiming to improve adherence and accessibility for individuals at substantial risk of HIV infection. Lenacapavir works by disrupting the HIV capsid, a critical protein shell, thereby preventing the virus from replicating.
“This approval marks a pivotal moment in Uganda’s HIV prevention landscape,” the authority stated. “Introducing a long-acting option can empower more people to effectively protect their health, especially those for whom a daily pill is challenging.”
Public health experts anticipate that the long-acting nature of Lenacapavir will be a game-changer in reducing new HIV transmissions. The rollout plan, including distribution channels, pricing, and initial target populations, is expected to be detailed by the Ministry of Health in the coming weeks.
Uganda joins a growing list of nations adopting this innovative prevention tool, which has shown high efficacy in clinical trials. The move reinforces the country’s commitment to leveraging new biomedical tools in its comprehensive strategy to end the HIV epidemic.
About The Author
