Landmark Agreement too Slash HIV Prevention Drug Cost to €34 Annually
GENEVA – A new agreement promises to dramatically reduce the cost of lenacapavir, a highly effective HIV prevention drug, from approximately €24,000 per person per year to around €34 annually. The deal,brokered by the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Gates Foundation alongside other organizations,aims to make the medication accessible in over 100 low- and middle-income countries beginning in 2027.
Lenacapavir, administered as an injection every six months, has demonstrated nearly 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infection and received approval from the World Health Institution (WHO) last summer. The current high cost presents a notable barrier to access, especially in regions where affordable HIV prevention is critical. “For manny countries with low and middle incomes, affordable access to HIV prevention is not a luxury but a necessity,” stated Professor Saiqa Mullick of the South African research institute Wits RHI, a partner in the agreement.
The initiative seeks to position lenacapavir as a replacement for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the current standard of HIV prevention which requires daily pill consumption. While PrEP costs between €7.50 and €20 per month in the Netherlands, adherence can be challenging for some patients, especially in communities facing HIV-related stigma. The Gates Foundation reports that only 18% of individuals who could benefit from PrEP currently have access to it, citing difficulties with consistent access and daily adherence in certain countries.
Lenacapavir offers a perhaps more effective option for these populations,requiring only a bi-annual injection. The drug is expected to be available on the market later this year at its current price, with the reduced cost taking effect in 2027.
