Lenacapavir, a newly approved drug offering a twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention, could be manufactured at an annual cost of just $25, despite projected retail prices around $25,000. This disparity raises concerns about affordability in high-prevalence areas. Experts stress that Gilead, the drug's manufacturer, must price lenacapavir accessibly to combat the ongoing HIV pandemic effectively. With 1.3 million new infections in 2023 and a demand for preventive treatments, making this drug available at a lower price could significantly impact global health outcomes.
We have been urging Gilead to make lenacapavir available and affordable for all who need it.
Making lenacapavir unaffordable in countries with HIV epidemics would only make things worse.
To charge 1,000 times more for a medicine with pandemic-ending potential would be abhorrent.
Lenacapavir could be mass produced for $35 to $46 a year, falling to $25 at scaled-up production of 5m to 10m doses.
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