Within two years, a historic agreement will cut the cost of the HIV preventive medication lenacapavir in more than 100 low-income nations.
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Unitaid, the Gates Foundation, Wits RHI, and other organizations, announced the deal on Wednesday.
After receiving regulatory clearance, it gives Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories the financial, technical, and regulatory support they need to introduce reasonably priced, high-quality generic versions of lenacapavir to low- and middle-income nations by 2027.
Lenacapavir was shown in clinical trials to offer nearly complete protection against HIV and to dramatically lower the risk of infection.
It was discovered to be more effective than the main pre-exposure prophylactic (PrEP) alternatives. For many years, PrEP therapies have been utilized to prevent HIV infections.
As early as this year, the medication, which is injected twice a year and costs $28,000 per person yearly, is expected to be made available.
But according to Wednesday’s statement, that price will be lowered to just $40, or around 0.1 percent of the original price.
The potential to protect someone for six months with a single injection, at the same price as the currently available daily medications, is genuinely revolutionary, according to Bill Clinton, board chair and co-founder of CHAI.
“This collaboration represents a significant advancement and a fundamental change in the realm of HIV prevention.” And I’m honored that CHAI can do its part in addressing the epidemic and providing a real opportunity for the world to put an end to it,” he said.
“The revolutionary new HIV prevention option offers longer protection, greater convenience, and renewed hope to millions at risk,” said Temitope Ilori, director-general of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
She said that the historic deal is opening up affordable access to lenacapavir.
According to Ilori, “this agreement ensures that through this breakthrough innovation, it doesn’t just stay with the privileged few, but rather spares innovation with equity, laying the foundation for broad, long-lasting impact for those that need it most.”
“The Nigerian government is committed to strengthening our health services and increasing access to effective prevention in order to hasten the process of eliminating HIV as a public health issue.
“We will accomplish this by utilizing robust and creative collaborations between the public and private sectors.
“We are taking this bold step together with partners—many of you are in this room—to ensure a healthier and more resilient future, and lenacapavir is undoubtedly a tool in that fight.”
