NEWS

• The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug.
• Marketed as Yeytuo in Europe by Gilead Sciences, the drug is hailed as a major public health advancement.

HIGHLIGHTS

Efficacy and Endorsement

• Nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV transmission in both men and women.
• Backed by the UN AIDS agency and World Health Organization (WHO).
• Approved by the US FDA in June 2024 for HIV prevention.

Coverage and Access

• Upon EU Commission approval, the drug will be authorised across all 27 EU nations plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
• Gilead to offer generic versions in 120 low-income countries, primarily in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.
• Latin America largely excluded despite rising infection rates, raising equity concerns.

Comparison with Other HIV Prevention Tools

• Longest-lasting option at six months protection.
• Alternative tools include:
  • Condoms
  • Daily oral pills
  • Cabotegravir injection (every 2 months)

Significance

• Lenacapavir could transform global HIV prevention, especially for populations facing stigma or poor access to healthcare.
• Critics warn of limited accessibility as a potential barrier to halting the global HIV epidemic.