New Agreements to Lower Cost of HIV Prevention Drug
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has welcomed the announcement of two new agreements aimed at advancing HIV prevention efforts.
Partnerships to Lower Lenacapavir Cost
An agreement between Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, along with another partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Hetero Labs, will make lenacapavir—a drug for preventing HIV—available at a reduced price in countries with high HIV incidence.
These agreements, announced on Wednesday during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, will allow the price of this semi-annual injection for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to be as low as $40 per person annually, compared to approximately $28,000 in the United States currently.
Affordable Initial Dose
The agreement between Unitaid, CHAI, and Wits RHI also includes that the initial oral dose along with the first injections will cost no more than €14.50 ($17) each.
Addressing the HIV Crisis
According to UNAIDS estimates, 1.3 million people were infected with HIV in 2024—far exceeding the target of 370,000 for 2025. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima emphasized, “This is a crucial moment. A price of $40 per person annually is a significant step that will unlock the transformative potential of long-acting HIV drugs.”
High Efficacy of Lenacapavir
A study published in the ‘New England Journal of Medicine’ demonstrated that lenacapavir has an efficacy rate between 96% and 100% in preventing new HIV infections.
Another study published in ‘The Lancet HIV’ earlier this year estimated that, if purchased at scale, the generic cost of lenacapavir could range from $35 to $46 per person annually. With high demand, the price could drop to $25, making the drug accessible even in low-income countries.
Impact on High-Need Populations
UNAIDS has stressed that if 20 million people in high-need groups—including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, young women and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa—had access to lenacapavir, new HIV infections could be drastically reduced, significantly advancing the goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030.
Call for Gilead to Lower Prices
UNAIDS has urged Gilead, the manufacturer of lenacapavir, to “rise to the occasion” by reducing treatment costs, being transparent about pricing and costs, expanding generic licensing to include all low- and middle-income countries, and enabling more people in developing countries to access these vital medications swiftly.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the new agreements about? The new agreements aim to lower the cost of lenacapavir, a drug for preventing HIV infections, making it more accessible in countries with high HIV incidence.
- What is the new price of lenacapavir? The semi-annual injection for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will be available for as low as $40 per person annually.
- What is the efficacy of lenacapavir? Studies show that lenacapavir has an efficacy rate between 96% and 100% in preventing new HIV infections.
- Who is UNAIDS urging to lower prices? UNAIDS has called on Gilead, the manufacturer of lenacapavir, to reduce treatment costs and expand generic licensing to include all low- and middle-income countries.
