Government approves rollout of new long-acting HIV prevention drug
Government approves rollout of new long-acting HIV prevention drug
A cloud of hope hangs over the 1.3 million Kenyans living with HIV after the Ministry of Health on Saturday, January 10 announced that Kenya will soon roll out Lenacapvir, a long acting injectable drug administered twice a year to prevent HIV infection.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the Ministry says this recommendation follows a comprehensive scientific assessment of the quality, safety, and efficacy of Lenacapavir, conducted in line with Kenyan law and applicable international regulatory standards.
Kenya is among the first African countries to recommend Lenacapavir for registration, a decision that aligns with recent global public health guidance, including recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). African countries that have already granted formal regulatory approval of Lenacapavir include; South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
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The injectable Lenacapavir offers an important alternative to daily oral HIV prevention medicines. This is said to be particularly beneficial for individuals who face challenges with taking pills every day.
The Ministry of Health say they will ensure the medicine is introduced in a timely, equitable, and responsible manner for populations at substantial risk of HIV infection.
In September 2025, UNITAID and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) signed a partnership aimed at reducing the price of injectable Lenacapavir from KSh3.6 million to KSh5,000 per person per year in 120 low and middle income countries including Kenya by the year 2027.
The Lencapavir prevention regimen also includes an initial oral dosage of two tables to be taken on the day of the first injection and two more tablets on the following day to help achieve effective drug levels quickly. As part of the global pricing agreement, the oral tablets will cost not more than kshs 2,000 per patient.
Lenacapavir was originally developed by Gilead Sciences and has since demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in HIV prevention and was approved by the World Health Organization in July 2025.
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