Last Updated on September 26, 2025 by Turkana County News Online
Millions of people at risk of HIV across Access to Affordable HIV Prevention Drug Announced for Low- and Middle-Income Countries120 low- and middle-income countries, including Kenya, are set to benefit from a new breakthrough in affordable prevention. A partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Indian pharmaceutical company Hetero Labs will see the rollout of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug, at a significantly reduced cost.
Starting in 2027, the drug will be made available at $40 (approximately KSh 5,170) per person per year, offering hope to vulnerable populations who have long struggled with limited access to effective HIV prevention medication. Lenacapavir, originally produced by Gilead Sciences, has been hailed as a game-changer due to its ability to provide long-lasting protection with fewer doses compared to traditional methods.
The decision to manufacture a generic version of the drug marks a major step forward in global public health efforts. Advocates say this move could transform HIV prevention strategies in Africa and beyond, especially in regions where high infection rates remain a concern and health budgets are stretched thin.
By lowering costs and expanding availability, the initiative is expected to help millions at risk of HIV lead healthier, safer lives while also easing the burden on national health systems.
