The South African National AIDS Council (South African National AIDS Council) has welcomed the arrival of the first batch of the new HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, calling it a significant milestone in efforts to curb new infections in the country.
The Global Fund has donated 37,920 doses of the injectable medicine, which is administered twice a year to HIV-negative individuals and is regarded as a major advancement in HIV prevention.
SANAC spokesperson Nelson Dlamini said the organisation is working closely with key stakeholders to develop access pathways, including plans to support local manufacturing of the drug.
“This strategic initiative will enhance sustainability, affordability, and equitable access while positioning South Africa to support regional production where Lenacapavir is needed the most,” Dlamini said.
He added that SANAC, together with the Department of Health and the Presidency, will soon announce details of the official public launch, which will include further updates on licensing and distribution plans.
The introduction of Lenacapavir has also sparked debate over transparency in its rollout. The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has called for full disclosure of all partners involved in the distribution process.
FOSA leader Tebogo Mashilompane warned that major health programmes require strict oversight and accountability.
“FOSA warns that history has taught us to question every major government-linked health rollout until full accountability is proven,” he said.
Mashilompane also clarified that Lenacapavir is a preventative treatment rather than a vaccine, despite its high-profile status in HIV prevention efforts.
Health experts say the injectable offers a major advantage over daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which requires strict adherence to a daily pill regimen.
“The tablet is a daily tablet where you must take it every day… The injection takes away the burden of swallowing a tablet every day,” said one health official, noting that the jab provides protection for up to six months per dose.
Clinical data indicates that Lenacapavir can reduce the risk of HIV infection by more than 99.9%.
Humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières has also urged broader and faster access to the drug across the region.
From 2027, Indian manufacturers Dr. Reddy’s and Hetero are expected to supply the medication, which will cost an estimated R695 per person annually.
South Africa is among nine countries selected for the initial rollout, alongside Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Department of Health says plans are underway to distribute a generic version through more than 300 clinics by April as part of the phased national rollout.