Zimbabwe Launches Lenacapavir HIV Prevention Drug

Zimbabwe has launched lenacapavir, a new long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, becoming one of the first countries to roll it out. The drug, administered twice a year, aims to significantly reduce new HIV infections, particularly among high-risk groups such as sex workers, adolescent girls, and young women. Developed by Gilead Sciences, the rollout is supported by the United States===President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, and is part of a broader initiative across 10 African nations. Early recipients, like Constance Mukoloka, have expressed relief, noting the drug's discreetness and extended duration address challenges of stigma and adherence associated with daily oral PrEP pills. While clinical studies show near-total protection, experts caution that widespread impact depends on overcoming funding constraints, infrastructure gaps, and ensuring patient engagement. The high cost of mass rollouts remains a concern for African governments, despite Gilead Sciences' commitment to sell the drug at no profit to low and middle-income countries. Health officials emphasize that lenacapavir should complement, not replace, existing prevention tools like condoms.