South Africa is moving to produce the groundbreaking HIV prevention drug lenacapavir locally after criticism that domestic pharmaceutical companies were excluded from earlier manufacturing agreements.
The government is working with international partners to identify a South African drugmaker capable of safely producing the twice-yearly injection. Once selected, the company could be recommended to U.S. pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences for a voluntary manufacturing licence.
Lenacapavir has been hailed by health experts as a major advance in HIV prevention, potentially transforming efforts to curb new infections. Officials say producing the drug locally could significantly improve access across sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic remains most severe.
Authorities argue that strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing is critical for reducing dependence on imported medicines and improving regional health security.
Source: TRT Africa
