Solidarity

Generic Production Agreements Poised to ‍Expand HIV Prevention⁣ Access in Africa & Beyond

New agreements aimed at producing generic versions of the revolutionary HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir offer the potential to protect individuals in low and middle-income countries for as little as 34 euros per person per year. These developments come at a‍ critical juncture, as funding​ cuts threaten to reverse ‌progress in the global fight against HIV.

Experts warn that reduced financial support, particularly from major financier the ⁢United States, could lead to a‌ surge in new infections. Projections ⁢indicate that without sustained funding, 6.6 million new HIV infections could occur by 2029, a meaningful increase from the 1.3 ⁢million new cases recorded in 2024.”Let us follow at the same level of new annual infections, which will not be⁤ the case because the situation will get worse due to the cuts,” stated López casas, highlighting the escalating costs – the treatment of the 1.3 million newly infected in ⁢2024 alone exceeded $50 million.

The current moment presents a “unique opportunity” to eradicate AIDS,according⁤ to experts,due to the availability of effective medicines like Lenacapavir at potentially affordable prices. “That is why it is‍ important to get the financing that allows the Lenacapavir‌ to⁢ take all the people who need it,” López Casas​ emphasized, advocating ​for a rapid expansion of preventative‌ treatment. He estimates that the number of people ‌receiving preventative treatment needs to be “duplicated or tripled, in a narrow margin of time” to effectively control the epidemic.

While agreements on generic production‌ represent “a basic step” towards accessibility, particularly ​for vulnerable populations, Beatriz Grinsztejn,‍ president of the International AIDS​ Society, cautioned‍ that 2027 – the​ anticipated timeframe for generic availability – remains distant. She stressed the need for “urgent additional investment to avoid delays or access problems,” as some countries​ are already​ making “difficult concessions” due to funding shortfalls.

unitaid is also⁤ advocating for the future local manufacture of Lenacapavir to‌ further reduce it’s price and for an expansion ⁤of the ‌current voluntary license agreement, ⁣which currently benefits​ 120 countries. Currently, 22 middle and low-income countries experiencing rising HIV rates – including brazil, Argentina, Peru, and nations in Asia and Eastern Europe – are excluded from this agreement, according to López Casas.

In the interim, initiatives ⁤are underway to improve access to lenacapavir. The US President’s Emergency Plan ​for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) and the World Fund have reached an agreement ⁢with Gilead to supply the medicine to up to two million people ‍in low and medium-income ⁣countries at an undisclosed price. Pepfar, ‍which has operated for over 20 years providing prevention, treatment, and⁢ support, claims to have contributed to saving 26 million lives. the World Fund anticipates ​delivering ⁤the first shipments of Lenacapavir ⁤to an African country‌ by the end of 2025.