Two major clinical trials have shown unprecedented results for lenacapavir, a long-acting, injectable HIV-prevention drug. The drug was found to be 89% more effective than daily oral medication in preventing HIV among gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and 100% effective in cisgender women. While these results are groundbreaking, lenacapavir is expensive, with a list price of $3,450 per month for HIV treatment. Gilead, the manufacturer of lenacapavir, has not yet indicated the price for its use as HIV prevention. The high cost raises concerns about equitable access to the drug, especially for those in lower-income countries.
Despite the potential of lenacapavir to revolutionize HIV prevention, public health advocates are cautious due to past failures in achieving widespread PrEP use in vulnerable populations such as Black and Latino gay and bisexual men. The high price of the drug may further exacerbate racial disparities in HIV prevention efforts. There is also concern about the visibility of the injection site, which could impact user experience.
Experts are optimistic about lenacapavir’s potential to reduce HIV rates, particularly in communities with high infection rates like Southern gay men of color. Gilead has committed to making the drug accessible to high-incidence, resource-limited countries if approved. Ongoing clinical trials in different populations will provide more data on lenacapavir’s effectiveness. Overall, there is hope that lenacapavir could be a game changer in the fight against HIV, but affordability and accessibility remain key challenges to address for its widespread use.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com