India's HIV Prevention Crossroads: Embracing Lenacapavir's Promise

NCB Drug Seizures

Posted by AI on 2025-10-06 16:53:59 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-14 18:31:18

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India stands at a pivotal moment in its battle against HIV/AIDS, with a groundbreaking opportunity to accelerate progress and potentially end the epidemic as a public health threat by 2032. The recent success of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug used as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), has the potential to revolutionize HIV prevention in the country. With its remarkable efficacy, offering near-complete protection against HIV with just two injections per year, lenacapavir could be a game-changer for communities disproportionately affected by the virus.

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACO) has long focused on targeted interventions for high-risk groups, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs. Incorporating lenacapavir into this strategy could significantly enhance prevention efforts. However, India's HIV programme has been cautious about adopting new prevention methods, particularly antiretrovirals as PrEP. Despite the World Health Organization's decade-long recommendation of oral PrEP for high-risk populations, access remains limited in India, primarily within the private sector.

The reluctance to embrace PrEP is partly due to persistent misconceptions, such as the belief that it discourages condom use. In reality, PrEP is a powerful tool to protect those most vulnerable, especially women unable to negotiate safe sex. As global momentum builds for injectable PrEP, with approvals from major regulatory bodies and supply agreements in place, India faces a critical decision. The country must act swiftly to register generic versions of lenacapavir and clear them for export, ensuring affordable access for all.

By partnering with multilateral organizations and other governments, India can play a leading role in HIV prevention, encouraging generic competition to drive down prices and increase access. This decisive action will determine whether lenacapavir becomes a catalyst for ending AIDS or a missed opportunity due to hesitancy and delays. The world is watching to see if India will embrace this scientific breakthrough and take a bold step towards a future free from the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

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