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The European Commission has approved the first twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention, marking a significant advancement in public health. The drug, lenacapavir, marketed as Yeytuo, has demonstrated 100 percent effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission during clinical trials. This breakthrough is expected to enhance accessibility, as it reduces the need for daily medication to just two injections per year.
The approval comes at a critical time, with over 24,700 new HIV diagnoses reported in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway in 2023, reflecting an increase of nearly 12 percent from the previous year. Public health advocates emphasize the need for effective prevention tools to combat this upward trend.
Yeytuo will soon be available across EU member states and in Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Regulatory approvals are also progressing globally, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration already granting approval and applications submitted in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. The World Health Organization has endorsed the shot as a valuable addition to existing prevention strategies.
To enhance global access, Gilead Sciences, the company behind Yeytuo, has agreed to allow generic production in 120 lower-income countries where HIV remains prevalent. However, concerns persist regarding the equitable distribution of the drug, particularly following cuts to U.S. global health funding, which may impede access in communities that need it most.
Currently, approximately 40.8 million people worldwide are living with HIV, and in 2022, 630,000 deaths were attributed to AIDS-related illnesses. While Yeytuo alone cannot eliminate the epidemic, it has the potential to transform HIV prevention strategies, provided that governments and donors prioritize equitable access. The successful rollout in Europe will be critical in determining how effectively this innovation can be shared globally.
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