A Twice-Yearly Shot Could Help End AIDS
A Breakthrough in HIV Prevention
It’s been called the closest the world has ever come to a vaccine against the AIDS virus. The twice-yearly shot was 100% effective in preventing HIV infections in a study of women, and results published Wednesday show it worked nearly as well in men.
Global Access to the Shot
Drugmaker Gilead said it will allow cheap, generic versions to be sold in 120 poor countries with high HIV rates – mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. However, it has excluded nearly all of Latin America, where rates are far lower but increasing, sparking concern the world is missing a critical opportunity to stop the disease.
Expert Reaction
“Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, credited Gilead for developing the drug, but said the world’s ability to stop AIDS hinges on its use in at-risk countries. ‘This is so far superior to any other prevention method we have, that it’s unprecedented,’ she said.”
A Historical Crossroads
In a report issued to mark World AIDS Day on Sunday, UNAIDs said that the number of AIDS deaths last year – an estimated 630,000 – was at its lowest since peaking in 2004, suggesting the world is now at a “historic crossroads” and has a chance to end the epidemic.
The Science Behind the Shot
The drug, called lenacapavir, is already sold under the brand name Sunlenca to treat HIV infections in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and elsewhere. The company plans to seek authorization soon for Sunlenca to be used for HIV prevention.
Targeted Groups
While there are other ways to guard against infection, like condoms, daily pills, vaginal rings, and bi-monthly shots, experts say the Gilead twice-yearly shots would be particularly useful for marginalized people often fearful of seeking care, including gay men, sex workers, and young women.
Real-World Impact
Such was the case for Luis Ruvalcaba, a 32-year-old man in Guadalajara, Mexico, who participated in the latest published study. He said he was afraid to ask for the daily prevention pills provided by the government, fearing he would be discriminated against as a gay man. Because he took part in the study, he’ll continue to receive the shots for at least another year.
Global Health Crisis
Dr. Alma Minerva Pérez, who recruited and enrolled a dozen study volunteers at a private research center in Guadalajara, said, “In Latin American countries, there is still a lot of stigma, patients are ashamed to ask for the pills.”
Regional Exclusions
Byanyima said other countries besides Mexico that took part in the research were also excluded from the generics deal, including Brazil, Peru, and Argentina. “To now deny them that drug is unconscionable,” she said.
Advocacy and Action
On Thursday, 15 advocacy groups in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Guatemala, and Colombia wrote to Gilead, asking for generic Sunlenca to be made available in Latin America, citing the “alarming” inequity in access to new HIV prevention tools while infection rates were rising.
Economic and Practical Considerations
While countries including Norway, France, Spain, and the U.S. have paid more than $40,000 per year for Sunlenca, experts have calculated it could be produced for as little as $40 per treatment once generic production expands to cover 10 million people.
Conclusion
The world has a chance to end the AIDS epidemic, but it requires global access to effective prevention methods like lenacapavir. The next step is to ensure that this breakthrough treatment reaches those who need it most.
FAQs
* What is lenacapavir?
+ Lenacapavir is a drug that has been shown to be 100% effective in preventing HIV infections in a study of women, and nearly as effective in men.
* What is the current situation in Latin America?
+ HIV infection rates are increasing in Latin America, and the region is missing out on access to new prevention methods.
* What is Gilead’s stance on making lenacapavir available in Latin America?
+ Gilead has excluded most of Latin America from the generics deal, sparking concern that the world is missing a critical opportunity to stop the disease.
* What is the cost of lenacapavir?
+ While countries have paid more than $40,000 per year for Sunlenca, experts have calculated it could be produced for as little as $40 per treatment once generic production expands to cover 10 million people.
