Approval of India-made version of HIV-prevention shot raises hopes in low-income countries

Louisville (US), Nov 2 (AP) The US Food and Drug Administration has approved an India-made generic version of the world's only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV -- a big step toward making the drug available inexpensively and more quickly in 120 low- and middle-income countries. The announcement was made on Monday morning by the manufacturer and organisations that helped to speed up development of the medication, called lenacapavir. The generic was developed by India-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories under an agreement brokered by Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and Wits RHI, a health research institute in Africa. The partners sought to accelerate development and make the drug available at an affordable price. The drug is expected to cost USD 40 a year per person in the countries where it will be available, the same price as daily preventive pills available now.