Nearly 200,000 lenacapavir shots given across Africa, but supply issues pose challenges
Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention medication, is being rolled out across Africa with high demand already outpacing supply. A partnership between the US State Department, the Global Fund, and Gilead Sciences aims to reach three million people by 2028.
Why it matters
The successful distribution of this drug could significantly alter the trajectory of the HIV epidemic in high-burden regions.
Lenacapavir – the highly effective HIV prevention medication that only requires two shots a year – is currently rolling out across African countries with a high burden of HIV. Initial data from countries such as Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique and Kenya were shared at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Demand is already outpacing supply in some instances, with ambitious targets set for 2026 and beyond.
Countries are mostly obtaining lenacapavir through a programme set up between the US State Department, the Global Fund and Gilead Sciences. Gilead sells the drug at no profit, but at an undisclosed cost.
The programme aims to reach at least three million people with lenacapavir (LEN) by the end of 2028. This massive drive is in partnership with national governments, with high-, middle- and low-income countries simultaneously launching lenacapavir PrEP – a rare occurrence.
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