Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug, shows unprecedented efficacy in Ugandan trials, but its rollout faces criticism over limited access, high pricing, and distribution challenges, exacerbated by U.S. aid cuts impacting Uganda's HIV program.
Experts at the Aids 2026 Conference in Rio de Janeiro warn that US foreign aid cuts, particularly the dissolution of USAID, are hindering global access to new HIV prevention innovations like lenacapavir, jeopardizing efforts to reduce new infections, especially in vulnerable populations.
Lenacapavir, an injectable HIV prevention drug requiring only two doses annually, offers a significant advantage over daily pills by improving adherence. Despite its potential, access remains limited due to high costs and exclusion from supply deals in several vulnerable regions, including parts of Latin America.
France's National Council for AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (CNS) laments the underutilization of PrEP, an effective HIV prevention method, calling for public authorities to expand access beyond its current primary users, predominantly gay men.
