Médecins Sans Frontières has raised concerns that expanding access to a new HIV prevention drug does not address the core issue of equitable availability, despite recent efforts by pharmaceutical companies to broaden distribution.
The organization issued an open letter to Gilead Sciences, stating that prevention should not be a privilege, even as the company announced plans to make its preventive medication available to up to three million people.
Meanwhile, UNAIDS noted that while lenacapavir—a promising long-acting injectable for HIV prevention—is advancing in development and rollout, unequal access continues to threaten global prevention goals.
In related developments, South Africa received its first shipment of lenacapavir for use in HIV prevention efforts, marking a step forward in expanding availability in regions with high HIV burden.
These updates highlight ongoing tensions between pharmaceutical innovation and equitable access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where HIV remains a significant public health challenge.
