Nigeria receives first Lenacapavir shipment for HIV PrEP
Nigeria received its first shipment of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, on Tuesday. The National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) under the Federal Ministry of Health announced the milestone, marking a significant expansion of the country's prevention options. The drug will be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive treatment for people at risk of HIV infection. Previously costing $28,000 annually, the drug's price was reduced to about $40 annually through global negotiations, improving access for millions. Regulatory clearance by NAFDAC and readiness assessments in 10 states (Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, Lagos) are underway for the structured rollout. NASCP emphasized this development strengthens Nigeria's commitment to innovative HIV prevention services and equitable access.