HIV prevention injection approved, high cost raises access concerns

A new HIV prevention injection hailed as a game-changer has been approved by United States health authorities, but its sky-high annual price of more than USD28,000 is raising fears about who will actually benefit.

The drug, Yeztugo, developed by Gilead Sciences, is a twice-yearly shot based on lenacapavir and is designed for individuals who find it difficult to take daily HIV prevention pills.

Clinical trials involving thousands of adults and teenagers from diverse backgrounds found it to be over 99.9 percent effective in preventing HIV infections. It is approved for anyone weighing at least 35 kilograms.

Advocates say the drug could revolutionise prevention efforts, especially among communities where daily pill adherence is a challenge.

However, the steep price in the United States has triggered concerns that only wealthy individuals in high-income countries will have access.

Health experts point out the stark disparity in production costs, noting that a generic version could be manufactured for as little as USD25 a year if scaled.

This has fuelled debates over affordability, equity, and whether life-saving prevention should be considered a universal right rather than a market privilege.

In an effort to improve global access, Gilead has signed agreements with six manufacturers to produce low-cost generic versions for 120 low- and middle-income countries.

The company has also pledged to supply two million doses through global health partnerships.

However, these generics will still require regulatory approval and could take several years to reach patients in need.

While the approval of Yeztugo marks a major milestone in the fight against HIV, public health advocates warn that without urgent measures to make it affordable, the breakthrough risks widening health inequality, leaving millions unable to access a drug that could save their lives.