Group applauds FG for introducing HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir in Nigeria

..,…..Calls For Accessibility, Affordability.

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

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A non governmental organisation, ‎Lawyers Alert(LA),  has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STDs Control Programme (NASCP) for the introduction of the long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, in Nigeria.

It however called for equitable and sustainable access to life-saving and preventive medicines, stressing that one of the pathways to sustainable HIV prevention is through local manufacturing. 

The organisation explained that the development marks a significant step towards expanding HIV prevention options and demonstrates continued efforts to strengthen the national HIV response in the country.

This was contained in a statement  by ‎Rommy Mom President, Lawyers Alert and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, Sunday.

The statement noted that ‎for many Nigerians, especially key and vulnerable populations, long-acting prevention options like this, would have the potential to reduce stigma, improve adherence, and increase uptake of preventive services. 

“While we celebrate this important scientific milestone, it is critical to emphasise that a medical breakthrough such as this should be accessible to those who need it most.

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‎”Despite global efforts to reduce the price of Lenacapavir for low-income countries, the current cost remains beyond the reach of most Nigerians. 

“In an economy where many are struggling with rising cost of living, a price tag of $40 per year per person represents a significant barrier to access in terms of affordability. 

“The key question remains whether those who need it most will actually be able to access it. There is a risk that this innovation could remain limited to a small segment of the population if affordability is not prioritised from the outset. 

“We cannot rely on the benevolence of donors or limited shipments to protect millions of Nigerians. We need a systemic solution that removes the price barrier entirely”, the he said.

Mon advocated for local licensing, technology transfer, and domestic manufacturing arrangements that will enable Nigerian pharmaceutical companies to produce these medicines locally. 

“We believe that this approach would significantly reduce costs, strengthen supply chains, and support large-scale distribution across the country, ensuring reach to the most affected communities

“‎Access to HIV prevention is a fundamental component of the right to health, as recognised under the national and international human rights frameworks.

” As such, this promising long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, must not become a luxury product for a few but rather a widely accessible public health intervention available to all who need it. 

“Nigeria’s HIV response must therefore ensure that new biomedical innovations and medicines are not only introduced but are also accessible, affordable, and available to all, especially key and vulnerable populations who remain disproportionately affected by HIV.

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‎”We, therefore, call on the Nigerian government to lead efforts to ensure equitable access, technology transfer, and frameworks within global intellectual property regimes, including mechanisms available under international trade agreements that enable expanded access to essential medicines. 

“We, as a country, should demand certain Technology Transfer under the TRIPS agreement framework. We must ensure that this is not treated as a luxury product, but as a basic human right”, the statement alluded.

According to him, Lawyers Alert remains committed to advancing a rights-based response to HIV in Nigeria by advocating for equitable access to prevention, treatment, and care for all, especially vulnerable and underserved communities. 

“As Nigeria introduces new prevention innovations such as Lenacapavir, we will continue to engage government institutions, civil society partners, and affected communities to ensure that these interventions are deployed in a manner that is transparent, inclusive, affordable, and non-discriminatory”, it concluded