Kenya Rolls Out Lenacapavir HIV Prevention Drug

Kenya has initiated the rollout of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, in a Nairobi slum. This medication, taken twice a year, has demonstrated over 99.9% effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission risk. The initiative, a collaboration between the Kenyan Ministry of Health, Gilead Sciences, and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, aims to address the high HIV burden, especially among young adults aged 15-24. The drug will be provided free of charge to recipients, with an annual cost of approximately $50 USD in Kenya, significantly lower than its price in the United States, thanks to licensing deals brokered by organizations like the Clinton Foundation and the Gates Foundation, and generic manufacturing by Hetero Drugs and Dr. Reddy s Laboratories. The rollout will be phased, starting in 15 high-burden counties, with support from the United States government providing additional doses. This move is seen as a crucial step in Kenya's fight against the HIV epidemic, offering a more convenient and discreet prevention option compared to daily oral PrEP, despite potential reductions in global health aid from the United States.