Malawi National AIDS Commissions joins global experts in describing this as a pivotal moment on the road to ending AIDS as a public health threat— ensuring lifesaving innovation reaches those who need it most, wherever they live.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) has announced that it has signed an access agreement with Gilead Sciences to procure lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention, for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
This marks the first time in history that an HIV prevention product will be introduced in LMICs at the same time as in high-income countries — a significant milestone for global health equity. The agreement follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Lenacapavir for HIV prevention few weeks ago and represents one of the most significant advances in HIV prevention in decades.
Adding a voice, Malawi National AIDS Commission Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Beatrice Matanje has described the development as timely and a sigh of relief for the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Malawi and that this will accord many people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV infection, access to the new drug. “We are excited that the Global Fund has signed an access agreement with Gilead Sciences to procure lenacapavir for the LMCs, this brings hope to us because even the poor will be able to access this long-acting preventive drug for HIV that is injected only twice a year”.
Since the approval of Lenacapavir (LEN) as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by FDA few weeks ago, the National AIDS Commission has joined hands with other global advocates appealing for a reduction in the price of LEN to ensure that it is accessible to all countries once it is rolled out.
Lenacapavir (LEN) expands the HIV prevention choice basket — offering a powerful new option for people who experience stigma, adherence challenges with existing PrEP drugs, or other barriers in their daily lives.