Nigeria has achieved a groundbreaking victory in the global fight against HIV after successfully securing a dramatic price reduction for the HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir. Once priced at a staggering $28,000, the life-saving drug will now be available for only $40 per person, covering a six-month treatment cycle.
The announcement was made at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, where Dr. Temitope Ilori, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Protocol Division at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), described the deal as a major step forward in making HIV prevention affordable and accessible.
Dr. Ilori noted that the new pricing will transform access to lenacapavir for millions of Nigerians, stressing that the injection is one of the most effective tools in preventing new HIV infections. “This agreement is a milestone in our collective effort to end HIV as a public health threat. By making this medicine affordable, it ceases to be a privilege of the wealthy and becomes a shield for millions of people who need protection,” he said.
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The achievement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and advancing toward the global target of eradicating HIV by 2030. It also reflects the country’s ability to leverage international partnerships for the benefit of its citizens.
The price reduction was made possible through strategic collaborations with UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, and the Gates Foundation, all of whom played key roles in brokering the deal.
With lenacapavir now within reach for ordinary Nigerians, experts say this breakthrough could drastically cut down new infections and reposition Nigeria as a leading voice in the global HIV response.
