By Abuja, Nigeria
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced that Nigeria will soon take delivery of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug that demonstrated 100 per cent effectiveness in preventing HIV infection during clinical trials.
In a statement released on Monday, NACA’s spokesperson, Toyin Aderibigbe, said the agency has secured regulatory approval for the drug from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Lenacapavir is administered as an injection twice a year, offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs.
Health authorities say the biannual treatment could significantly improve adherence and expand access to HIV prevention services. The drug is expected to be rolled out in Nigeria and 119 other low- and middle-income countries at an affordable cost of 40 dollars per person annually, following voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers.
NACA also highlighted key milestones achieved in preparation for the rollout, including the completion of landscape and readiness assessments in 10 states including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gombe, Kano, Kwara and Lagos, alongside securing regulatory clearance from NAFDAC.
Nigeria currently has about 1.9 million people living with HIV, with a national prevalence rate of 1.3 per cent among adults aged 15 to 49 years. In 2021, the country recorded 74,000 new HIV infections and 51,000 AIDS-related deaths.
The South-South geopolitical zone bears the highest burden, with a prevalence rate of 3.1 per cent. Women aged 15 to 49 years are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV compared to men, underscoring the need for targeted prevention efforts.
