Although Uganda participated in a groundbreaking trial for Lenacapavir—an injectable drug proven effective in preventing HIV—the medication remains unavailable to the general public. With high costs making it inaccessible for many, citizens are still waiting for the government to intervene.
00:01Monika Adong holds up her antiretroviral tablets medication that has helped her manage her HIV-positive status for years.
00:11So on every appointment, they give me this thing with my drugs. After three months, I get my drugs in this thing. So in this thing, it contains the drugs for three months.
00:24Uganda is home to approximately 1.5 million people living with HIV. Despite ongoing efforts, new infections remain high, with health officials reporting an estimated 730 new cases every week.
00:41But there is hope on the horizon. A new injectable drug, Lenakapaville, has been introduced. It significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection in both adults and adolescents.
00:52This drug is so effective because it's been tested before in people living with HIV and now it's being used as a salvage regimen.
01:03If this drug comes in handy and is able to suppress viral load, the virus that causes HIV in people who are heavily treatment experienced.
01:11And therefore because it is so potent, so effective and yet has a very long half-life, the indication was changed by the manufacturer to now also be used for prevention.
01:22The approved one is for prevention and not for treatment.
01:26Between 2021 and 2023, successful trials of Lenakapaville were conducted among adolescent girls and young women in Uganda and South Africa.
01:37HIV clinics in Uganda are optimistic as the drug offers a new layer of protection for those at risk of infection.
01:45This is an HIV clinic. We have people who are taking treatment. Some of them have partners and they are in a dose-condent relationship.
01:52So this is a very good drug for them because some of them have been doing the oil prep while they are taking a pill every day.
01:58And so they are excited because they are going to receive an injection that is going to be just twice in one year.
02:04So it's very exciting news for them and they are all looking forward to getting this drug.
02:11While many Ugandans are optimistic about the potential of Lenakapaville to reduce HIV infections, concerns remain, particularly around affordability and access.
02:21For this drug to be readily available for the populations, it is important that discussions are held to lower the price but also give patenting rights for local manufacturers to be able to manufacture these drugs locally so that it can be accessed by the populations.
02:42But how is it going to help us? Because I'm sure it's for the rich.
02:46It has to be distributed with a lot of caution to the members of the public because most of them will be going out sleeping irresponsibly because of course they'll be knowing that they have that infection, that injection that will help them to protect them from acquiring HIV and AIDS.
03:04Despite Uganda's participation in the initial trials, Lenakapaville is not yet available in the country. The government remains hopeful that this will change soon and the drug will be affordable when it does arrive.
03:17So with the wide market, we are hopeful that the price of Lenakapaville from the supplier, from the producer will come down significantly, that it should be affordable within our countries and by even some of the individuals within this country.
03:32So we look forward to partnering with private pharmacies to bring it in for those who may need it beyond those who shall be prioritized for the free Lenakapaville.
03:45It is important that some population groups are prioritized despite of the high risk.
