The United States has approved the world’s only two shots to prevent HIV, the first step in the expected global launch that can protect millions of dollars – although it’s unclear how many are in the United States and abroad Will get access to powerful new options.
While vaccines to prevent HIV are still needed, some experts say Gilead Sciences – A drug called Lenacapavir – is probably the next best thing. almost Eliminate new infections In the seminal study of two people High riskbetter than the daily preventive medications they can forget to take.
“It does have the potential to end the spread of HIV,” said Greg Millett, director of public policy at the AIDS Research Foundation Amfar.
Condoms help prevent HIV infection, if used properly, but so-called PREP – regular use of preventive drugs such as daily pills or giving different shots every two months – is becoming increasingly important. Lenacapavir’s six-month protection makes it the longest-lasting type, an option that can attract doctor visits or stigmas for daily pills.
But turmoil in U.S. health care – Including reductions in public health Institutions and Medicaid – and cut the United States Foreign aid in the fight against HIV The prospect is clouded.
Millett said:Holes in the system“In the U.S. and globally, “will make it difficult for us to ensure we not only bring Lenacapavir into people’s bodies, but also to make sure they come back twice a year” to maintain protection.
Gilead’s drugs have been sold to treat HIV under the brand Sunlenca. The preventive dose will be sold under a different name Yeztugo. It acts as two injections under the skin of the abdomen, leaving a small “warehouse” for slowly absorbing into the body. Gilead warned that people must test negative for HIV before receiving two doses. It only prevents HIV transmission – it does not prevent other sexually transmitted diseases. Some researchers who helped test the lens recommend cold packs to deal with injection point pain.
By 2030, global efforts to end the HIV pandemic have stalled. There are still more than 30,000 new infections in the United States every year, with about 1.3 million worldwide.
Only about 400,000 Americans have used some form of PREP, a small part of the expected benefit. A recent study found that with heavy use of PREP, HIV infection decreased, while the incidence rate in other places continued to rise.
About half of new infections among women are protections that can be used without the knowledge or consent of a partner. A rigorous study was conducted in South Africa and Uganda, comparing more than 5,300 young women and adolescents who were sexually active twice a year. There was no HIV infection among those who received the shooting, while about 2% of infected sexual partners in the comparison group were infected with HIV.
A second study found that twice-year shootings are almost as effective in gay people in the United States as well as those suffering from hard-hit HIV in the United States and in several other countries.
Since 2015, Ian Haddock of Houston has tried preparations, but he seized the opportunity to participate in the Lenacapavir study and continued to shoot twice a year as part of the study’s follow-up study.
“Now I forgot about my preparations because I don’t have to carry a bottle with me,” Haddock leads the normal anomaly initiative, a nonprofit that serves the black LGBTQ+ community.
“Men, women, gay, straight – this really expands the chances of prevention.” Remembering only once every six months of clinic visits is a powerful tool, rather than constantly talking about condoms, constantly making sure you take pills every day.”
Gilead said the U.S. price (meaning before insurance) is $28,218 per year, which it says is similar to some other preparation options. The company said it expects coverage, but there are also some financial aid programs.
While the Supreme Court is considering cases that can overturn this claim, most private insurers should offer advance payments without co-payment. Congress is also considering layoffs on Medicaid. Carl Schmid of the nonprofit HIV HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute said that while community health centers remain an option, the Trump administration has largely removed HIV prevention efforts in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s preventive measures, which often send messages to vulnerable groups eligible for shootings.
Schmid fears the lens won’t reach its potential because “we are basically pulling the carpet out of HIV prevention, testing and outreach programs.”
Gilead also made two firing applications in other countries. Last fall, the company signed an agreement with six general drug manufacturers to produce low-cost versions of 120 impoverished countries, mainly in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Dr. Jared Baeten, senior vice president of the company, said Gilead plans to provide enough shots in these countries to provide 2 million people until generic drugs are available.
UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima said in a statement that the price is still too high. If it can’t be taken, she said, “It won’t change.”
HIV experts worry that Gilead’s arrangements to reduce costs in some countries have neglected middle-income countries, such as some in Latin America.
“Every country at risk of HIV needs to be prepared,” said Dr. Gordon Crofoot of Houston. “We need to have easier access to efficient preparations like this.”