The Kenyan government has given the green light for the introduction of Lenacapavir, a breakthrough long-acting drug designed to prevent HIV infection, marking a major milestone in the country’s HIV response.
The Ministry of Health, acting through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), on January 10 approved the registration of Lenacapavir 300 mg oral tablets and a 464 mg injectable formulation for use as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Officials said the decision followed an extensive scientific evaluation to confirm the medicine’s safety, quality, and effectiveness.
Unlike daily PrEP pills, Lenacapavir offers prolonged protection, with the injectable version administered only a few times a year. Health experts say this could significantly improve adherence, particularly among individuals who struggle with daily medication or face stigma when accessing HIV prevention services.
The drug works by interfering with key stages of the HIV lifecycle, blocking the virus from replicating and establishing infection in the body. This novel mechanism has drawn global attention, with Lenacapavir viewed as a potential game-changer in efforts to curb new HIV infections.
Kenya remains one of the countries most affected by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The approval of Lenacapavir is expected to strengthen prevention strategies, especially among high-risk populations, as the government intensifies efforts to reduce new infections and move closer to ending HIV as a public health threat.