HIV DRUG PRICE CUT HAILED
NEW YORK, USA – UNAIDS has announced a dramatic price reduction for lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention drug, described as a watershed moment for global health.
The announcement, made on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly, detailed two agreements slashing the cost of lenacapavir from USD 28,000 (approximately E504 000) per patient per year to just USD 40 (about E720).
“This is a watershed moment. A price of USD 40 per person per year is a leap forward that will help unlock the revolutionary potential of long-acting HIV medicines,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.
Lenacapavir, produced by US company Gilead, prevents HIV infection with just two injections annually.
The agreements, supported by UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI, enable Indian generic manufacturer Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to offer the drug at USD 40 per year, with an initial oral dose costing no more than USD 17 (about E306).
The Gates Foundation will support Hetero Drugs with funding and volume guarantees to maintain this price following a short pre-treatment oral regimen.
Byanyima noted that 1.3 million people were infected with HIV in 2024, far exceeding the 2025 target of 370,000. The PURPOSE 2 Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found lenacapavir 96 to 100 per cent effective in preventing new HIV infections.
UNAIDS estimates that access for 20 million high-risk individuals, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and young women and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, could significantly reduce infections and advance the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
“UNITAID, Gates, CHAI, Wits RHI, Reddy, and Hetero have shown what is possible when companies prioritise equitable access to lifesaving medicines.
Gilead must match this ambition by reducing its price for lenacapavir, being transparent on cost and pricing, expanding its generics licence to all low and middle-income countries, and enabling rapid access for more people in developing countries,” Byanyima said.
Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula welcomed the development, calling it timely for Eswatini. “We support the reduced pricing for this important commodity in the fight against HIV. This ensures the government can roll it out to all who need it.
One of our vulnerabilities has been the persistently high rate of new infections among women of childbearing age, and this will help us turn this trend around,” he said.
NERCHA Executive Director Dr Nondumiso Ginindza-Ncube and Board Chairman Ntsika Fakudze, attending the UN General Assembly, described the breakthrough as a game-changer for HIV prevention globally.
“As a country, we are looking forward to its launch during World AIDS Day on December 1 and have it ready for roll-out in January.
Through UNAIDS, we have been promised about USD 660 000 (approximately E11.8 million) for a start, which is likely to benefit about 16 000 Emaswati,” Dr Ginindza-Ncube said. She added that PEPFAR has pledged further funding to support the programme.
Dr Ginindza-Ncube noted that Eswatini has been prioritised for the drug, with rollout guidelines being developed with the World Health Organisation.
“Emaswati were either taking medications daily or monthly. Now, they will only need two injections per year at a lower cost per patient,” she said.