MEXICO CITY (AP) — A groundbreaking biannual injection, hailed as the closest humankind has come to an AIDS vaccine, may hold the key to curbing the HIV pandemic.

Recent studies have shown that this innovative treatment, named lenacapavir (branded as Sunlenca), achieved remarkable efficacy, boasting a 100% success rate in preventing HIV infections among women, with impressive results among men as well.

Gilead, the pharmaceutical company behind this potentially life-saving injection, announced it would allow affordable, generic versions to be made available in 120 low-income countries heavily impacted by HIV, primarily across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.

However, glaringly absent from this deal are nearly all Latin American countries, where HIV rates, although lower, are on the rise. This has raised alarms among health advocates who fear the global community may be missing a vital opportunity to combat AIDS effectively.

“This is unprecedented and far superior to any other prevention methods we currently have,” stated Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. She commended Gilead's breakthrough but emphasized that the true battle against AIDS will depend on reaching the most vulnerable populations.

According to UNAIDS’ latest report released for World AIDS Day, the number of deaths attributed to AIDS has declined to an estimated 630,000 last year—the lowest since 2004. This milestone presents a “historic crossroads” in the fight against the virus, signifying a crucial moment where eradication seems possible.

Lenacapavir is already available as a treatment for HIV in several developed nations and Gilead is seeking to extend its use as a preventative measure. While other preventive options like condoms, daily pills, and vaginal rings exist, experts highlight that the biannual injection could serve marginalized communities who often hesitate to seek care—especially gay men, sex workers, and young women.

One participant in the study, Luis Ruvalcaba, a 32-year-old gay man from Guadalajara, Mexico, expressed his anxiety about seeking daily preventive pills due to potential discrimination. Now, thanks to his participation in the research, he will continue receiving the injections for at least another year.

The reception of this drug through Mexico's healthcare system remains uncertain. Health officials have not commented on potential purchases of Sunlenca for public distribution, even though daily preventive medications became available without cost in 2021.

“If generic options are initiated, I have faith Mexico will join the initiative,” Dr. Alma Minerva Pérez remarked.

It's critical to note that Brazil, Argentina, and Peru—other participating countries in the research—are also excluded from access to generic lenacapavir, an exclusion Byanyima termed "unconscionable." Gilead maintains an ongoing commitment to facilitating access to HIV prevention and treatment in places where the need is most urgent.

On Thursday, advocacy groups across Latin America wrote to Gilead imploring the company to include the region in the generic deal, citing a distressing inequality in access to new prevention technologies amidst rising infection rates.

Internationally, countries such as Norway, France, and Spain have spent upwards of $40,000 annually for Sunlenca, whereas experts suggest that once generic production is established, the cost could drop to as low as $40 per treatment for ten million people.

Dr. Chris Beyrer of Duke University warned that the alarming rise in HIV rates among marginalized groups in Latin America represents an urgent public health crisis. Similarly, Hannya Danielle Torres, a trans woman who was part of the study, hopes for systemic solutions to provide these essential shots, emphasizing the plight of vulnerable communities in Mexico.

Critically, another pharmaceutical company, ViiV Healthcare, has also not included significant parts of Latin America in its generics rollout for its bi-monthly injection, Apretude, which exhibits 80-90% effectiveness but is financially out of reach for many.

As HIV infections worldwide exceed one million annually, experts like Asia Russell of the Health Gap organization advocate for urgent measures, including compulsory licensing—a strategy some nations adopted during previous AIDS crises—to ensure equitable access to treatment.

Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, an AIDS researcher in South Africa, voiced optimism about Sunlenca’s effectiveness in combating HIV, underscoring the pivotal challenge ahead: ensuring that this revolutionary preventive measure reaches all who need it.

The clock is ticking; the potential to end AIDS may hinge on how swiftly and widely these groundbreaking injections can be made available across the globe. Can we afford to wait?