UNAIDS Calls for Significant Price Cut on Lenacapavir to Ensure Global Access

The UNAIDS chief wants a company to slash the price of a new HIV prevention drug. Winnie Byanyima says the current cost of 28,218 dollars per person each year is way beyond what most people can afford. She believes the medicine should cost just 40 dollars annually to help poor countries fight the disease.

The drug called lenacapavir works amazingly well at stopping HIV infections. Tests showed it prevented 100 percent of new cases among women and cut infections by 96 percent for other groups. Scientists can make the medicine for only 40 dollars per person but the company wants to charge much more.

Byanyima asked world leaders to pressure the drug maker during upcoming meetings. She warned that African nations cannot pay such high prices when their HIV programs already face budget cuts. American aid programs have stopped sending money which makes the situation worse for many countries.

Health experts worry that people will miss out on this breakthrough treatment just like previous HIV drugs. They want governments and companies to work together to get the medicine to everyone who needs it. The World Health Organization plans to release new guidelines about the drug soon.