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WEB New HIV drug can only offer hope of ending AIDS if all have access

UNAIDS says

GENEVA 10 July 2024

UNAIDS has welcomed the release of new data showing that a new injectable HIV drug is highly effective in preventing HIV infection. The drug, lenacapavir, is given every six months and has been shown to be 99% effective in preventing HIV infection in clinical trials.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said that the new drug is a “game-changer” in the fight against HIV. “This new drug is highly effective, long-acting, and injectable,” she said. “This means that it has the potential to make a significant impact on the HIV epidemic, especially for people who are at high risk of infection.”

However, Byanyima warned that the new drug will only be effective if it is made available to everyone who needs it. “We cannot afford to let this new drug become another example of the global health divide,” she said. “We need to ensure that everyone who needs this drug has access to it, regardless of where they live or how much money they have.”

The new drug is still in the early stages of development, and it is not yet clear when it will be available to the public. However, UNAIDS is calling on governments and pharmaceutical companies to work together to make sure that the drug is available to everyone who needs it as soon as possible.

The development of new HIV drugs is a critical step in the fight against the disease. However, it is important to remember that the best way to prevent HIV infection is to practice safe sex and to get tested regularly.