Big tackle on HIV

In a significant move to combat the HIV epidemic, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness is preparing to launch a pilot programme for lenacapavir, the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved injectable HIV prevention drug. This initiative, described by former US President Bill Clinton as a “genuine chance to end” the global HIV crisis, aims to provide a long-acting alternative to daily oral pills. Lenacapavir, administered twice a year, will be offered free of charge in Jamaica’s public health system, targeting vulnerable populations. Dr. Nicola Skyers, senior medical officer of the National HIV/STI programme, emphasized the drug’s potential to address adherence challenges, particularly among younger individuals less accustomed to daily pill regimens. The pilot will also include cabotegravir, another injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken every two months. While the cost of injectable antiretrovirals remains high, Jamaica is exploring partnerships to make these treatments more accessible. Lenacapavir, set for rollout in the US by year-end at $28,000 annually, will be available in 120 low- and middle-income countries by 2027 at a reduced cost of $40 per person, thanks to collaborations between the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Gates Foundation, and Wits RHI. The World Health Organization has endorsed lenacapavir as a transformative preventive measure, with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calling it “the next best thing” to an HIV vaccine. In Jamaica, where approximately 26,000 individuals live with HIV/AIDS, young adults have expressed enthusiasm for the injectable option, citing convenience and effectiveness over daily oral PrEP.