President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, pictured in 2025 at the G20 summit, on Friday announced that the HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir will is now available at medical facilities across the country. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo
June 5 (UPI) -- South African officials on Friday announced that the HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir is now available there, calling it "a major turning point" in the nation's story.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during a launch event in Secunda, South Africa, that starting Friday the drug is available at 360 public health facilities across six provinces and 24 "high-burden districts" as the country aims to reach three million people over the next three years.
Because Lenacapavir is a twice-annual injection, as opposed to other daily oral drugs to prevent HIV, it is easier for many people to adhere to -- making it easier to prevent spread of the virus -- Gilead, the drug's manufacturer, has found in phase 3 trials.
"The launch of Lenacapavir marks a turning point in our nation's fight against HIV," Ramaphosa said during his remarks.
