E.U. regulator approves injectable HIV drug that experts say could help stop transmission
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EU Regulator Backs Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Injection
Above: Image copyright: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This breakthrough represents a game-changing advancement in HIV prevention that could finally help end the epidemic. The twice-yearly injection eliminates barriers like stigma and healthcare access that keep vulnerable populations underserved. With nearly 100% effectiveness proven in trials and WHO endorsement, lenacapavir offers the longest-lasting protection and could expand prevention coverage globally.
Narrative B
Lenacapavir's impact will be severely limited by accessibility and pricing concerns. At over $28,000 annually in the US, the drug remains prohibitively expensive for most, while Gilead's exclusion of Latin America from generic licensing creates coverage gaps in regions with rising infection rates. Without broader access, this drug risks becoming a life-saving treatment that doesn't reach those most at risk.