Uganda has received it’s first batch of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly dose Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) injectable drug as the country steps up efforts to curb the spread of the HIV virus and bring an end to the public health threat by 2030.
In a statement released by the Health ministry, the country received it’s initial consignment of 19,200 doses from the Global Fund on Tuesday evening, which will be distributed to high burden districts starting March.
“The initial consignment of 19,200 doses of Lanacapavir from @GlobalFund has arrived in Uganda. The drug is administered every six months to prevent HIV among persons with substantial risk of acquiring HIV. They will be distributed to high burden and high incidence districts effective March 2026” the statement read.
Early last month, the Uganda National Drug Authority (UNDA) approved the use of the Lenacapavir, drug manufactured by Gilead, a USA based company calling it a game-changer for HIV prevention, especially for those at high risk and is line with the country’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
Following it’s approval, Lenacapavir was integrated into Uganda’s HIV Prevention program.
Lenacapavir, manufactured by Gilead Sciences and marketed as Yeztugo, was named the 2024 Breakthrough of the Year by Science magazine after early study results showed more than 99% efficacy in reducing HIV infections.
The US government and the Global Fund are co-financing an advanced market commitment to make the drug accessible to up to two million people across high-burden countries by 2028.
In June last year, the Uganda Aids Commission revealed plans to introduce the use of the six month lenacapavir injection after research successfully established that the six- monthly injection offers 100 percent protection to HIV negative individuals against acquiring HIV.
At the time, the commission noted that following the US Food and Drug Administration approval of its production and use, the innovative HIV Prevention tool would be made available in Uganda after close consultations with stake holders and compliance with the minimum requirements.
The new medicine is administered by injection once every six months and represents a major improvement in prevention options for people at risk of HIV infection worldwide.
In an interview, Gilead Sciences announced a U.S. list price of $28,218 (UGX 101,574,641) per person per year.
However, a research paper published early this year in The Lancet HIV found that generic lenacapavir could cost between $35 (UGX 12,598) and $46 (UGX 165,583) per person per year.
The cost could fall further to $25 (UGX 89,991) per person per year if there is committed demand of five to ten million people within the first year, bringing the price in line with—or even lower than—current oral PrEP.
