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By Spy Uganda
An unexpected surge in demand for Lenacapavir, the groundbreaking HIV prevention injection introduced in Uganda earlier this year, has left health authorities grappling with limited supplies, with men emerging as the drug’s most eager seekers.
Officials from the Ministry of Health revealed on Friday that demand for the twice-yearly HIV prevention jab has far exceeded the doses currently available, highlighting both growing public awareness of HIV prevention options and concerns about access to the highly sought-after medication.
Speaking during a meeting attended by HIV advocates, researchers, and policymakers, Dr. Herbert Kadama, the Ministry of Health’s Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) coordinator, said health facilities across the country have witnessed a surprising trend: more men than women are seeking Lenacapavir.
“We continue receiving numerous inquiries from people wanting to know where and how they can access the injection,” Kadama said, noting that only individuals assessed to be at substantial risk of HIV infection currently qualify for the treatment.
The unprecedented interest comes just months after Uganda launched Lenacapavir in April, becoming one of the first African countries to roll out the long-acting HIV prevention drug. However, only 19,200 doses were initially secured for distribution to 103 designated health facilities nationwide.
According to Dr. Peter Mudiope, who heads HIV prevention at the Ministry of Health, another shipment is expected to support recipients due for their second dose in October. However, delivery timelines have become uncertain after the manufacturer reported production challenges linked to a companion tablet used during the treatment initiation phase.
“The manufacturer informed us that the consignment may arrive later than expected because of shortages affecting the loading dose tablets,” Mudiope explained.
The supply uncertainty has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the programme, especially given the drug’s high global cost.
Mudiope noted that Lenacapavir currently remains beyond the financial reach of Uganda’s health budget, with each dose carrying a price tag of approximately $28,000. As a result, the country continues to depend heavily on donor support from the Global Fund and the United States government to maintain access.
Despite the supply challenges, researchers involved in the clinical trials that helped establish Lenacapavir’s effectiveness remain optimistic.
Ugandan scientists played a significant role in the global research behind the drug, with studies conducted among young women at sites in Kalangala, Masaka, and Mityana. Notably, men were not part of the local trial participants, making the current surge in demand among males particularly striking.
Dr. Flavia Matovu Kiweewa, a senior scientist at the Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University (MUJHU) Research Collaboration and lead investigator in the Ugandan trial, said women who participated in the studies continue to enjoy guaranteed access to the injection.
She revealed that about 95 percent of former trial participants are currently receiving the medication, with special priority being given to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
“Nearly 70 percent of our available doses are reserved for pregnant and lactating women because of their heightened vulnerability,” she said.
There may, however, be relief on the horizon.
Matovu disclosed that Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of Lenacapavir, has already signed licensing agreements with six pharmaceutical companies to produce lower-cost generic versions of the drug. These are expected to become available within the next two years and could dramatically reduce the price to about $40 per dose.
Until then, health officials are encouraging individuals at risk of HIV infection to consider other effective prevention options already available in Uganda.
These include daily oral PrEP tablets and Cabotegravir Long-Acting (CAB-LA), an injectable HIV prevention medicine administered every two months.
For now, the excitement surrounding Lenacapavir underscores both the promise of next-generation HIV prevention and the challenges facing countries seeking to make breakthrough medical innovations widely accessible.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/men-lead-rush-for-new-hiv-prevention-injection-as-uganda-faces-lenacapavir-supply-crunch/
