Doctors Without Borders argues that an HIV-prevention injection should not remain out of reach because of patents and pricing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
With global attention turning to expanding HIV prevention, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is urging governments worldwide to ensure the twice-yearly drug lenacapavir becomes affordable and widely accessible. Its Belgian section made the appeal from Brussels during the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, calling on the manufacturer Gilead and governments to make the medicine affordable for everyone who needs it.
“We call on all governments to protect equitable access to HIV prevention for everyone, including key populations, and to stand against the pharmaceutical monopolies that keep lenacapavir out of reach,” MSF Belgium told Euractiv. “Access should not depend on where someone is born or on decisions made by Gilead or any other pharmaceutical company.”
Lenacapavir is a long-acting, injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) given twice a year that is almost 100 per cent effective at preventing HIV infection. According to MSF, the drug could transform prevention, especially for people facing stigma, discrimination or care barriers: men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and people affected by conflict or humanitarian crises.
