South Africa launched the revolutionary anti-HIV Lencapavir with much fanfare last week, with the Health Department announcing plans to expedite the manufacture of the injectable locally, saying that it would soon be available “here at home”.
At the high-profile launch in Secunda, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said South Africa would soon have the capability to manufacture a generic of LEN, reports SANews.gov. In the meantime, however, the six-monthly jab will be freely available at 360 government clinics in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and North West, while the Free State, Northern Cape and Limpopo will be supplied next year, when cheaper generic versions are expected to become available.
“It has been said that unless we put 2m people on Lenacapavir, we won’t be able to end HIV and Aids,” Motsoaledi said. “There’s anxiety within civil society that we might not reach that number because… the Global Fund has only donated 900 000 doses. Because you need two doses per annum, it means only (it’s now) 400 000 people…
“I’m going to allay those fears. While Gilead Sciences is the originator of Lenacapavir, and has a 20-year intellectual property right, I am standing here to thank Gilead because they were told by civil society and experts that the world does not have 20 years to wait – and they agreed.”
While Gilead has given six voluntary licences to countries to start manufacturing the generics – and South Africa was not among them – Motsoaledi was adamant that this would change.
“Gilead has told us (that) if there is a South African company that can stand up and say, 'Here we are', they will be given that voluntary licence.
“Lenacapavir is going to be manufactured in South Africa. I don’t know by which company as it’s not my job to choose. A selection committee ….will be making that decision, so very soon, it will be introduced here, at home,” he added.
The provincial rollout forms sees 24 high-burden districts poised to deliver the transformative intervention of the jab, with an ambitious target of reaching some 1m people by the end of 2027.
As the country’s most populous province and one of the regions carrying a significant HIV burden, Gauteng was identified as a key implementation site for the first phase of the programme. LEN is being introduced at 133 facilities across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand, targeting populations at high risk of HIV infection.
The province has received sufficient stock to “initiate 56 079 eligible clients between 8 June 2026 and 31 March 2027 across the province”, said the Minister.
The department has trained healthcare workers, pharmacists, programme managers and data personnel, established monitoring and reporting systems, and distributed clinical guidelines to support safe and effective implementation of the programme.
Rollout in Cape
In the Western Cape, 22 healthcare facilities also launched rollout of the first phase of LEN on Monday, with Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger saying that this demonstrates the progress that continues to be made in HIV prevention, reports the Cape Times.
“The rollout represents a major scientific breakthrough … one of the most significant advances in the field in recent years, and gives us another opportunity to strengthen HIV prevention in our communities,” she said. “It expands the choices available to people who may benefit from a long-acting prevention option and brings us one step closer to a future with fewer new infections.”
Head of Department for Health and Wellness Dr Keith Cloete said the phased approach would allow the Department to target available supply where it can have the greatest impact.
“The 22 facilities selected for the first phase serve communities with a high HIV burden and are well positioned to support the rollout. Clients will receive HIV testing, counselling and clinical assessment before starting the medicine, and ongoing follow-up will be an important part of the programme,” he said.
Provincial Council on Aids and TB co-chairperson Amelia Mfiki welcomed the launch of the injectable as both a turning point and a remarkable milestone in advancing HIV prevention in the Western Cape.
“Lenacapavir is another valuable tool in our collective effort to reduce new HIV infections and protect the health of our communities. When researchers work in partnership with communities, supported by strong government leadership, it creates the foundation for a successful public health programme,” she said.
She also called on sponsors and funders to strengthen their investment in clinical research and to deepen their commitment to demand creation, noting that sustained financing and community‑centred engagement are critical to translating scientific breakthroughs into real‑world impact.
Cape Times article – Western Cape rolls out Lenacapavir at 22 facilities to combat HIV (Open access)
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Demand for new HIV jab outstrips supply in African rollout
Gilead inks deal for generic HIV drug supply to low-income nations
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