South Africa rolls out game-changing HIV shot amid funding shortfalls

South Africa has introduced a new HIV **prevent** drug, Lenacapavir, which is injected every six months. This long-acting medicine is a significant step forward in fighting HIV, especially as South Africa has the world's highest number of HIV cases. The drug is highly effective at stopping high-risk individuals from contracting the virus and is being called a 'game changer' by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The rollout of Lenacapavir has begun in 360 health facilities in areas with high infection rates. While South Africa has made progress in treating HIV with antiretroviral drugs, prevention remains a major **challenge**, with about 160,000 new infections annually. A significant concern is the rate of infection among adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24, who account for roughly 1,000 new cases each week. The new injectable drug offers a more convenient alternative to daily pills, which often suffer from poor adherence.

Despite its potential, access to Lenacapavir is currently limited. The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding to South Africa was significantly reduced, impacting prevention programs. Additionally, the drug manufactured by Gilead is very expensive, costing around $28,000 per person annually in the U.S. However, there is hope for the **future**. Generic versions of Lenacapavir are expected to become available in 2027 at a much lower cost of about $40 per person per year, particularly for low and middle-income countries. South Africa is also exploring local manufacturing to increase availability and reduce reliance on external supplies.