Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Zimbabwe Among the First African Countries to Roll Out Breakthrough HIV Injections

Women, young ones and ones holding their babies, along with some men lined up on the outskirts of <span>Zimbabwe</span>'s capital Harare for the injections of a new <span>HIV</span> prevention drug. The country launched it on Thursday. This drug needs to be administered only twice a year. 

<h2>Why Is This Vaccine So Important For Zimbabwe?</h2>

Zimbabwe is a country where HIV led to tens of thousands of deaths in the last two decades. It is the first country to roll out <span>lenacapavir</span>, which is a long-acting drug that authorities have put their hopes on to slow down the HIV infection. 

<h2>What Is So Special About The HIV Injections?</h2>

Clinical studies have demonstrated near-total protection for the drug and has been described as a 'turning point' for high risk groups by many experts. However, many have warned that its broad impact would require overcoming funding constraints, infrastructure gaps and the challenge of keeping patients engaged. 

Immunologist at Emory University Rama Rao Amara, calls it a "wonder drug". The drug, known as lenacapavir has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is made by Gilead Sciences. 

<h2>How Does This Drug Differ From Earlier HIV Prevention Drugs?</h2>

In 2021, FDA approved injectable form of PrEP medication called cabotegravir, however, this required patients to take it in every two months. This was also an intramuscular dose that healthcare providers were to administer into the buttocks. 

What changes with lenacapavir is its easy administration. Each dose lasts longer compared to other medications and requires to be administered twice a year.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/12-4-lakh-hiv-tests-in-haryana-detect-5877-cases-article-153654270" data-type="tilCustomLink">12.4 Lakh HIV Tests In Haryana Detect 5,877 Cases</a> 

The limitation with lenacapavir is its price tag of more than $28,000 per person per year. Carmen Pérez Casas, a senior strategy leader at Unitaid, a global health initiative based in Geneva, Switzerland said, "This is unaffordable. We need to get somewhere close to what previous options cost." 

However, there is hope as the researchers published an analysis in The Lancet HIV that suggested generic versions of this drug could cost a person $25 per year. 

<h2>Could This Drug Reshape HIV Prevention?</h2>

At the Zimbabwe launch, Constance Mukoloka, a sex worker, was among the first beneficiaries of this roll out which has happened by donor-support across 10 African countries, as reported by PBS <span>News</span>. 

"I am safe, I can work with confidence now," said the 27-year-old sex worker. "When I took tablets, customers would see a container of pills and leave. They would never return due to fear," she said. "They couldn't tell the difference between PrEP and treatment drugs. With the work we do, that stigma costs you money."

Daily oral PrEP has been offered in Zimbabwe for years, along with condoms, vaginal rings and shorter-acting injections. However, sticking to the regimen has been difficult, especially for people dealing with stigma or irregular daily routines.

"I work in beer halls looking for clients. Sometimes I would get drunk and forget to take my drugs," Mukoloka said. "Sometimes I would work all night and not have time. Some clients refuse protection. They say ... 'Why should I use protection when I have paid?'"

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Women, young ones and ones holding their babies, along with some men lined up on the outskirts of Zimbabwe's capital Harare for the injections of a new HIV prevention drug. The country launched it on Thursday. This drug needs to be administered only twice a year. Why Is This Vaccine So Important For Zimbabwe?Zimbabwe is a country where HIV led to tens of thousands of deaths in the last two decades. It is the first country to roll out lenacapavir, which is a long-acting drug that authorities have put their hopes on to slow down the HIV infection. What Is So Special About The HIV Injections?Clinical studies have demonstrated near-total protection for the drug and has been described as a 'turning point' for high risk groups by many experts. However, many have warned that its broad impact would require overcoming funding constraints, infrastructure gaps and the challenge of keeping patients engaged. Immunologist at Emory University Rama Rao Amara, calls it a "wonder drug". The drug, known as lenacapavir has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is made by Gilead Sciences. How Does This Drug Differ From Earlier HIV Prevention Drugs?In 2021, FDA approved injectable form of PrEP medication called cabotegravir, however, this required patients to take it in every two months. This was also an intramuscular dose that healthcare providers were to administer into the buttocks. What changes with lenacapavir is its easy administration. Each dose lasts longer compared to other medications and requires to be administered twice a year.Read: 12.4 Lakh HIV Tests In Haryana Detect 5,877 Cases The limitation with lenacapavir is its price tag of more than $28,000 per person per year. Carmen Pérez Casas, a senior strategy leader at Unitaid, a global health initiative based in Geneva, Switzerland said, "This is unaffordable. We need to get somewhere close to what previous options cost." However, there is hope as the researchers published an analysis in The Lancet HIV that suggested generic versions of this drug could cost a person $25 per year. Could This Drug Reshape HIV Prevention?At the Zimbabwe launch, Constance Mukoloka, a sex worker, was among the first beneficiaries of this roll out which has happened by donor-support across 10 African countries, as reported by PBS News. "I am safe, I can work with confidence now," said the 27-year-old sex worker. "When I took tablets, customers would see a container of pills and leave. They would never return due to fear," she said. "They couldn't tell the difference between PrEP and treatment drugs. With the work we do, that stigma costs you money."Daily oral PrEP has been offered in Zimbabwe for years, along with condoms, vaginal rings and shorter-acting injections. However, sticking to the regimen has been difficult, especially for people dealing with stigma or irregular daily routines."I work in beer halls looking for clients. Sometimes I would get drunk and forget to take my drugs," Mukoloka said. "Sometimes I would work all night and not have time. Some clients refuse protection. They say ... 'Why should I use protection when I have paid?'"