Nigeria Secures First Shipment of Injectable HIV Prevention Drug

Nigeria has received its first shipment of the long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir, marking a major step in expanding the country’s HIV prevention options.

The drug, designed for HIV-negative individuals at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, is administered twice a year, unlike traditional Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) pills, which must be taken daily.

The shipment follows an agreement reached at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, where Nigeria and other global leaders secured a significant price reduction for the drug.

Previously estimated at around $28,000 per individual annually, the cost of Lenacapavir has now been reduced to approximately $40, an initiative expected to expand access for millions of people across Nigeria and more than 100 low- and middle-income countries.

Health authorities say the introduction of the medication reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to adopting innovative tools to curb HIV transmission and improve public health outcomes.