MEXICO CITY -

In a revolutionary breakthrough that could change the landscape of HIV prevention, researchers have revealed a twice-yearly injection that offers incredible protection against the AIDS virus. With a remarkable 100 percent effectiveness demonstrated in women during trials, the shot has shown nearly identical promise in male participants as well.

Drug manufacturer Gilead has announced plans to permit the sale of affordable, generic versions of this transformative drug, lenacapavir—branded as Sunlenca—across 120 countries hard-hit by HIV, primarily in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. However, alarmingly, the drug has been excluded from most Latin American nations, including Mexico, where infection rates are climbing despite having historically lower numbers.

“Gilead's innovation could be a game-changer,” said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. “However, if it isn’t made available in higher-risk areas, we may squander a critical chance to curtail AIDS.” According to UNAIDS, the number of AIDS-related deaths in 2022 dropped to approximately 630,000, the lowest figure since 2004, emphasizing that we are at a pivotal juncture in our battle against this disease.

The significance of this drug cannot be understated: while existing prevention options—including condoms, daily oral medication, and various devices—remain valuable, the simplicity and effectiveness of this injection could attract some of the most marginalized populations, including young women, sex workers, and gay men, who often worry about discrimination in healthcare settings. “For these communities, two visits a year could mean the difference between life and death,” Byanyima added.

Luis Ruvalcaba, a 32-year-old participant in the study from Guadalajara, Mexico, attests to this need. Previously reluctant to access daily preventative pills due to fears of facing stigma as a gay man, he now looks forward to receiving the half-yearly shots. Dr. Alma Minerva Pérez, who facilitated the study, also highlights the stigma attached to seeking preventive care in Latin America, complicating access to potentially life-saving medication.

While the availability of Sunlenca in Mexico remains uncertain, health officials have offered little clarity on future plans for acquiring this crucial injection. Previously introduced daily prevention pills were made free through public health channels in 2021, sparking hopes that the government might follow suit with this new option.

Beyond Mexico, countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Argentina—also involved in the research—are similarly excluded from the generics arrangement, prompting fierce criticism from global health advocates. Gilead maintains that it strives to enable the accessibility of HIV prevention and treatment where it's needed most. In fact, among the eligible countries for generics, 18 nations in Africa account for 70 percent of the global HIV burden.

Recently, 15 advocacy organizations from several Latin American countries sent a letter to Gilead, demanding that generic versions of Sunlenca be made accessible amid alarming rising infection rates. Current market prices for Sunlenca have exceeded US$40,000 annually in nations like Norway and the U.S., yet experts predict that generic production could reduce costs to as low as US$40 per treatment if scaled appropriately.

Dr. Chris Beyrer from Duke University's Global Health Institute underlined the urgency of addressing the rising HIV rates among high-risk populations in Latin America, declaring it a public health emergency. Hannya Danielle Torres, a participant from Mexico, voiced her wish for universal access to the immunization: “While there are affluent individuals in Mexico, many live in devastating poverty and violence.”

Meanwhile, another pharmaceutical company, Viiv Healthcare, has also excluded a significant portion of Latin America from its generics distribution for its own HIV prevention injection, Apretude, which boasts an 80 to 90 percent effectiveness rate. Priced at around US$1,500 annually in middle-income areas, these costs are prohibitively high for many.

With global HIV infections surpassing one million each year, the pressing need for innovative prevention strategies has never been clearer. Asia Russell from Health Gap has suggested that countries like Brazil and Mexico utilize “compulsory licenses”—a controversial mechanism allowing nations to bypass patents during health emergencies—to ensure access to essential treatments.

AIDS expert Dr. Salim Abdool Karim expressed both optimism and concern regarding the promising data surrounding Sunlenca. “The critical challenge now is ensuring it reaches those most in need,” he emphasized.

This landmark development in HIV prevention holds tremendous promise, but the trajectory of AIDS in vulnerable populations will depend on decisive action and equitable access strategies around the world. As we stand on the brink of potentially wiping out this epidemic, it remains essential to address these disparities—because to leave anyone behind could mean losing the war against AIDS altogether.