Africa is taking a bold step toward medical independence as South Africa prepares to manufacture a generic version of the groundbreaking HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection said to reduce HIV transmission risk by 99.9%.

CBI News notes that South Africa is set to manufacture a generic version of the revolutionary HIV treatment Lenacapavir, marking a major breakthrough for Africa’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.

According to Unitaid, the injectable HIV drug developed by US pharmaceutical company Gilead only needs to be administered twice a year, offering a more convenient alternative to daily tablets, especially for women who often face stigma linked to HIV treatment.

Studies show Lenacapavir can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by as much as 99.9 percent.

Speaking at a Franco-African economic summit in Nairobi, Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton revealed that an agreement had been reached with Gilead and the South African government to begin local production of the drug as soon as possible.

The international health agency described the move as a major step toward strengthening Africa’s medical sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign pharmaceutical supply chains.

A tender process to identify South African laboratories capable of producing the generic drug is already underway, with production expected to begin within one to two years once a manufacturer is selected.

The development comes years after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Africa’s vulnerability during global health crises, when wealthier nations prioritized vaccine access for their own populations.

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