Injectable PrEP shows remarkable promise, but...
Lenacapavir has demonstrated enormous potential as a new HIV prevention tool with a 100 per cent efficacy rate and zero infections.
What you need to know:
- Lenacapavir prevents the HIV virus from entering and multiplying itself in the body.
Kenyans who are at high risk of HIV exposure could soon benefit from a new long lasting injectible pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awaiting initial approval by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The drug known as lenacapavir prevents the virus from entering and multiplying itself in the body, according to a report released last month in Peru, during the International AIDS Society's HIV Research for Prevention Conference.
As opposed to the regular oral PrEP medications that are taken on a daily basis, lenacapavir is presently the longest injectable PrEP and is administered every six months to offer protection from HIV infection.
The drug, manufactured by Gilead Sciences – an American biopharmaceutical company - has demonstrated enormous potential as a new HIV prevention tool with a 100 per cent efficacy rate and zero infections, according to Gilead’s Chief Medical Officer Merdad Parsey.
Final trials indicated a 96 per cent reduction of HIV infection among various groups of patients.
Out of over 2,000 individuals who took part in the second phase of the study, only two ended up contracting HIV.
“New infections will be significantly reduced if lenacapavir will be affordable,” she stated.
America’s Emory University Associate’s Collen Kelley expressed optimism that the issue of discontinuing PrEp, which has been a major problem with oral PrEP medication, could be overcome by the injectable drug, which is administered only twice in a year.
She described lenacapavir as a “highly effective HIV prevention tool, which does not depend on adhering to daily oral treatment,” saying it will greatly benefit people who do not have regular access to healthcare services.
South Africa-based Desmond Tutu HIV Center’s Director Linda-Gail Bekker said: “We know that traditional options for preventing HIV are highly effective when they are used according to prescription. Lenacapavir could help address discrimination and stigma, which may be faced by some people when using or keeping PrEP pills taken orally. Considering its dosage schedule, twice yearly, it also has the potential of raising persistence and adherence to PrEP.”
However, even though the preventive drug promises enormous success, experts have raised concerns over the pricing issue, which they say could hinder access and consistency in taking the shots.
Pricing of drugs remains a major obstacle particularly in African nations, which are characterised by strained resources and health care systems.
According to experts, a reliable drug supply chain is crucial in building and maintaining trust.
Pricing and availability of the lenacapavir preventive treatment will be the key to realising its full impact globally, as explained by South Africa’s Senior Health Technical Advisor Hasina Subedar.
The price of lenacapavir would have to be roughly Sh5,180 per dosage to enable supply for one year, as indicated by initial findings.
To tackle the price issue and support wide distribution, Gilead Sciences has entered into licensing partnerships with six companies to manufacture generic versions of the drug in 120 developing nations.
Kenya and Zambia are expected to be among the first African nations to adopt the drug’s pilot projects, based on their experience in implementing programmes for HIV prevention, according to Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition Director (AVAC), Mitchel Warren.
Experts are banking on the impact of the pilot projects, which they hope will increase demand for generic drugs and eventually lower the cost.
Lenacapavir treatment, which is awaiting initial approvals by WHO, has since been greenlighted in the United States and Europe as a tool for preventing HIV infections.
To fast-track initial approvals by WHO and at country levels, Gilead Sciences in collaboration with European Medicines for All initiative is set to start regulatory processes by the end of this year targeting 18 developing countries with a high burden of HIV.
The countries include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi and Zambia.
AVAC, a non-profit organisation that champions equitable access to options for HIV prevention, has emphasised that it is important to ensure broad availability of the injectable PrEP, calling its potential remarkable.
“We call for aggressive efforts to ensure availability to at least a million people in developing nations within the first year of rolling out.”
Gilead Sciences Chairman Daniel O'Day stated that: “Our focus is to make Lenacapavir available broadly and quickly as possible where it is needed most considering its potential for transformation.”
