Nigeria’s Federal Government has confirmed the arrival of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug used for HIV prevention, marking a significant boost to the country’s response to HIV.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, approved the introduction of the drug, which was supported through the Global Fund. The injection will be deployed as part of Nigeria’s pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme to help prevent new infections.
Bashorun said the programme would collaborate with partners to ensure the safe introduction, strategic deployment and effective integration of the injection into the country’s HIV prevention services.
He noted that the rollout would strengthen ongoing efforts to widen access to prevention services and improve health outcomes nationwide.
Lenacapavir is administered twice a year, providing a convenient alternative to daily oral HIV preventive drugs and potentially improving adherence among people at risk of infection.
The medication is expected to be made available in Nigeria and 119 other low- and middle-income countries at an estimated cost of about $40 per person annually through voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers.
