South Africa is preparing for the national rollout of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention medicine, with initial distribution planned for over 300 government clinics beginning in April 2026. The health department confirmed the rollout is contingent upon the arrival and quality testing of the first medicine shipment.
The initial doses will be funded by a R513-million ($29.2-million) grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, according to a report from Bhekisisa. Yet, the Global Fund’s contribution will only cover approximately 3% of the total stock needed to achieve the country’s goal of ending AIDS by 2043. The remaining 97% of required doses will necessitate to be financed through the national and provincial health departments’ budgets.
The twice-yearly injection offers a new preventative option, and officials hope widespread adoption could significantly curb new HIV infections. Scientists believe that sufficient uptake of lenacapavir has the potential to halt South Africa’s HIV epidemic, according to reporting from eatg.org.
Implementation guidelines for lenacapavir were developed by South Africa’s National Department of Health in December 2025, providing clinical, programmatic, and operational direction for the rollout. These guidelines are intended to ensure the safe, effective, and equitable distribution of the drug as a long-acting injectable PrEP option. Resources, including training videos for healthcare providers covering screening, initiation, and follow-up procedures, have also been developed by the National Department of Health.
In March 2026, South Africa launched a bid to enable local production of lenacapavir, with support from Unitaid and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), aiming to improve regional access and strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical capacity. This initiative comes after the country faced funding challenges in 2025 due to shifts in international aid commitments.
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