South Africa's Department of Health has welcomed the arrival of the country's first batch of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable medicine for HIV prevention. Close to 38,000 doses of the long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have landed in the country, marking a significant milestone in the nation's fight against HIV.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, works as a capsid inhibitor and requires only two injections per year, offering a major advantage over daily oral PrEP pills. The medicine gained global attention after the PURPOSE 1 clinical trial demonstrated 100% efficacy in preventing HIV among young women in South Africa and Uganda — one of the most striking results ever recorded in HIV prevention research.
South Africa carries one of the world's heaviest HIV burdens, with millions of people living with the virus. Health authorities have prioritised the rollout of lenacapavir as part of a broader strategy to reduce new infections, particularly among young women and adolescent girls who remain disproportionately affected.
The arrival of lenacapavir represents a pivotal step forward in expanding prevention options. Health officials have indicated that distribution will be rolled out through existing public health infrastructure, though logistical and cost challenges remain key considerations as the programme scales up.
