Breakthrough HIV Prevention Drug: NAC Tours Matabeleland South Ahead of Lenacapavir Rollout

BEITBRIDGE, MATABELELAND SOUTH— The National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe (NAC) has embarked on a strategic tour of Matabeleland South province, including the border town of Beitbridge, engaging with journalists as the country gears up for the introduction of a new, game-changing six-month injectable HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir.

​The tour, highlighting the region’s public health infrastructure and high-risk populations, is part of a national push to expand HIV prevention options and improve adherence, particularly among adolescent girls and young women who face disproportionate risk.

​Lenacapavir, a first-in-class, long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) developed by Gilead Sciences, has been recently approved by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ). Its most significant feature is its biannual dosage schedule—a single injection every six months following a brief initiation phase. This offers a substantial advantage over the current standard of daily oral PrEP, potentially overcoming challenges like pill fatigue and issues of discretion and stigma associated with daily medication.

Zimbabwe, which has a strong track record as one of the first African nations to approve other long-acting PrEP options like the bi-monthly injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA), is well-positioned to roll out this new tool. The twice-yearly injection aligns with global efforts to achieve the 95-95-95 targets and is expected to be instrumental in reducing new HIV infections, especially among key populations.

​The NAC’s decision to focus the media tour on Matabeleland South underscores the strategic importance of the region, which, like other border areas, may face unique challenges in terms of population mobility and high transmission rates.

​Speaking to Breeze FM DAC for Beitbridge Mr. Edward Mlaudzi, spoke about the logistical preparations, including the identification of health facilities and the training of health workers required to administer the new injection. This engagement aims to ensure accurate and widespread public health communication ahead of the drug’s official launch and rollout, which is anticipated to significantly impact the nation’s fight to end AIDS by 2030.

​The new drug’s rollout is a collaborative effort involving the Zimbabwean government, the National AIDS Council, international partners like the Global Fund, and Gilead Sciences, who have pledged to supply the drug at a non-profit price for millions until generic manufacturers can meet demand.

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