South Africa is set to introduce lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, as early as March 2026, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced.
The drug, administered once every six months, is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing new HIV infections and strengthening the country’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat.
Speaking at a national roundtable on access and sustainability of lenacapavir, Motsoaledi described the medication as a “much-needed innovation” addressing persistent gaps in existing prevention tools.
“We need prevention methods that fit into people’s daily lives,” he said. “Lenacapavir expands the choices within our combination prevention strategy.” He added: “This is where lenacapavir comes in, a timely and much-needed innovation to help us overcome the persistent challenges in our response to HIV/AIDS, particularly in prevention.”
The initial rollout will focus on 23 high-incidence districts across six provinces, with around 360 public clinics set to administer the drug. Target groups include adolescent girls, pregnant and breastfeeding women, sex workers, and men who have sex with men — populations most vulnerable to HIV transmission.
South Africa remains one of the countries hardest hit by the HIV epidemic, recording an estimated 149,000 new infections between 2022 and 2023 alone. Lenacapavir’s clinical trials have shown remarkable results, demonstrating 100% protection in women and 96% protection among men who have sex with men and transgender women, raising hopes for a significant reduction in transmission rates.
Health officials emphasised that the rollout of lenacapavir represents a major advance in the country’s HIV response, complementing existing prevention methods such as condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and antiretroviral treatment.
“The introduction of lenacapavir will allow us to reach more people with effective prevention tools, particularly those who face challenges with daily or oral medication,” Motsoaledi said, underscoring the potential of this long-acting intervention to transform HIV prevention in South Africa.
With this new initiative, the government aims to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat, while providing vulnerable populations with safer, more convenient options for protection against
About The Author
