Namibia to Register Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Injection
By TUW
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has accelerated the registration of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention medicine, marking a significant shift in Namibia’s approach to reducing new HIV infections and expanding prevention choices.
Lenacapavir is a next-generation pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option administered as an injectable formulation only twice a year, offering an alternative to daily oral tablets currently used by thousands of Namibians. With this move, Namibia joins South Africa and Zambia among the first African countries to register the innovative HIV prevention technology.
Health officials say the introduction of long-acting PrEP reflects the country’s commitment to modern, patient-centred healthcare solutions. While Namibia has already met the UNAIDS 95/95/95 targets—ensuring high levels of HIV testing, treatment coverage, and viral suppression—the country continues to record new HIV infections, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The Ministry believes long-acting prevention tools could play a crucial role in improving adherence and reducing the burden associated with daily medication, while also promoting dignity and convenience for users. The development is seen as a scientific advancement that could strengthen Namibia’s HIV response at a time when prevention remains a priority.
However, the government has raised serious concerns about affordability. The Minister of Health and Social Services noted that the reported global list price of more than USD 28,000 per person per year places lenacapavir far beyond the reach of most African countries if left unaddressed.
“Innovation without equity will not end the HIV epidemic,” the Minister said, stressing that access to life-saving technologies should not depend on income or geography. “Such prices do not reflect the economic realities of African countries, including Namibia.”
According to UNAIDS, an estimated 4,000 adolescent girls and young women were newly infected with HIV every week in 2024, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. The Ministry says these figures highlight the urgent need for more effective and longer-acting prevention options that can reach those most at risk.
To address cost barriers, the Minister has begun engagements with the Director General of the African Medicines Agency, advocating for substantial and timely price reductions. The goal is to ensure lenacapavir can be sustainably integrated into public health programmes without placing additional strain on national HIV budgets.
While welcoming the successful fast-tracking of the medicine’s registration, the Ministry has reaffirmed its position that equitable access must remain central to healthcare policy. Authorities say Namibia will continue pushing for fair pricing at regional and global levels until long-acting HIV prevention becomes affordable and accessible to all who need it.
