New HIV Prevention Shot Approved in US, But High Price Raises Access Questions
Gilead Sciences has received approval from US health authorities for a new HIV prevention shot called Yeztugo. This medicine only needs to be given twice a year. It aims to help people who find it hard to take daily pills to prevent HIV.
Yeztugo is based on the drug lenacapavir. In large studies, it showed strong results. Over 99.9% of people who got the shot did not get HIV. These studies included thousands of adults and teenagers from different backgrounds.
The shot is for people who weigh at least 35 kilograms. It could make HIV prevention easier for many, especially those who forget or cannot take pills every day. But the price is high. Gilead set the yearly cost at over $28,000 in the United States.
Experts say a generic version could cost as little as $25 per year if made in large amounts. This big price gap has raised concerns about who will be able to afford it. To help low- and middle-income countries, Gilead has made deals with six other companies to make cheaper versions.
These deals cover 120 countries. The company also agreed to supply doses for two million people through partnerships with global health groups. However, it will take time for these cheaper versions to become available, and they still need approval in many places.
The approval of Yeztugo is a big step forward for HIV prevention. But the real challenge is making sure the people who need it most can get it. The price and speed of distribution will decide how much impact this new shot will have on the global fight against HIV.
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