Uganda has begun rolling out lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug that requires only two doses a year, according to health officials. The drug, sold under the brand name Sunlenca by Gilead Sciences, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022 for treatment of HIV and has shown high efficacy in preventing HIV infection in clinical trials.
The rollout is part of Uganda's efforts to expand its HIV prevention toolkit, particularly for populations at high risk. The Uganda AIDS Commission and the Ministry of Health have been working with partners to introduce the drug, which offers an alternative to daily oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
Clinical trial data presented at the International AIDS Conference in 2024 showed that lenacapavir reduced HIV infection risk by 96% in cisgender women and by 99.9% in men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and other high-risk groups. The drug works by targeting the HIV capsid protein, disrupting multiple stages of the viral life cycle.
Health experts in Uganda have welcomed the introduction, noting that adherence to daily pills has been a challenge. However, they emphasize that lenacapavir is not a substitute for existing prevention methods but an additional option. The drug is administered as two subcutaneous injections every six months.
Gilead Sciences has announced voluntary licensing agreements to allow generic production in several countries, including Uganda, to improve access. The cost and availability in Uganda have not been fully disclosed, but the government has committed to ensuring equitable access.
