Nigeria has received the first batch of 11,520 doses of Lenacapavir, a newly introduced injectable drug for HIV prevention that is administered twice a year. The medication was donated by the Global Fund and officially handed over on Wednesday at the Federal Central Medical Stores in Oshodi, Lagos.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiretroviral recommended by the World Health Organisation as an additional option for HIV prevention. As a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), it is expected to boost prevention efforts by offering a more convenient alternative to daily medication, allowing individuals to choose what works best for them.
Speaking at the handover, Mohammed Patiko, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), described the arrival of the drug as a major milestone in expanding Nigeria’s HIV prevention strategies. He noted that Nigeria is among the first nine countries globally to introduce the injection.
Patiko revealed that a total of 52,000 doses are expected in three phases, with the second and third batches scheduled to arrive in May and October, respectively. He explained that the drug is intended to help reduce new HIV infections, particularly among high-risk groups such as sero-discordant couples and sex workers.
The injection will be provided free of charge to individuals enrolled in a pilot programme under the National HIV Programme. It will initially be available in eight pilot locations: Kwara, Gombe, Anambra, Ebonyi, the Federal Capital Territory, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue. Distribution to these areas is set to begin next week.
Highlighting its advantages, Patiko said Lenacapavir eliminates challenges linked to daily pill-taking, such as poor adherence and regimen fatigue. With only two doses required annually, it offers greater convenience and improved compliance.
According to recent data, about 1.9 to 2 million Nigerians are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Dr Oladipupo Fisher, Lagos State AIDS Programme Coordinator, stated that the introduction of Lenacapavir strengthens Nigeria’s comprehensive prevention strategy and supports efforts to meet global HIV targets by 2030.
He emphasized that prevention tools like Lenacapavir, alongside increased testing and treatment, are key to reducing both new and existing infections. Effective treatment, he added, lowers viral load and significantly reduces the risk of transmission.
Chiagozie Mgbemena of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria also reassured the public of the drug’s safety, noting that it has undergone rigorous global and national approval processes. She stressed the importance of proper adherence, counselling, and ongoing monitoring to ensure its safe and effective use.
