Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 15: In a major advancement in the global fight against HIV, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of lenacapavir, a twice-a-year injectable drug, as a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option to prevent HIV infection.

The announcement was made at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda, where WHO officials highlighted the drug's potential to transform HIV prevention — especially for individuals who face challenges with daily oral medication due to stigma, healthcare access, or personal circumstances.

Lenacapavir, recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and marketed under the name Yeztugo, is the first long-acting injectable PrEP solution requiring just two doses a year. Clinical trials have shown it to be nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV among high-risk individuals.

“While we still await an effective HIV vaccine, lenacapavir is the next best thing,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasizing its game-changing potential.

However, the rollout comes at a precarious time for global HIV efforts. The United States, historically the largest donor in HIV/AIDS response, suspended all aid under PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) following the inauguration of President Donald Trump earlier this year. A UNAIDS report warns that this funding freeze could result in over 4 million additional deaths and 6 million new infections by 2029 if not reversed.

Despite its promise, the high cost of lenacapavir — $28,218 per person annually — may pose a significant barrier to wide-scale adoption, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. WHO has urged governments, donors, and international health bodies to act swiftly to integrate the drug into national HIV prevention programs, ensuring accessibility and affordability.

Dr Meg Doherty, WHO’s Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STI Programmes, stressed the urgency of bold and equitable implementation: “We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS as a public health problem. What we need now is decisive action, powered by communities.”

As WHO pushes for immediate rollout and real-world data collection, lenacapavir is poised to become a cornerstone of next-generation HIV prevention — if the global community can rally the resources to support it.