South Africa Moves to Locally Produce HIV Drug Lenacapavir

South Africa is moving to locally produce lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable drug that has shown near-complete effectiveness in preventing HIV. The initiative aims to expand access in sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by HIV.

The South African National AIDS Council has issued a call for local pharmaceutical manufacturers capable of producing the drug to international standards. This could make South Africa the seventh global licensee for generic lenacapavir, following six manufacturers in Egypt, India, and Pakistan.

Partners including Unitaid and the United States Pharmacopeia are supporting the effort through the MedSuRe Africa program, providing technical assistance and helping meet World Health Organization prequalification requirements.

Local production of both the active ingredient and final product would strengthen regional supply chains and reduce reliance on imports, particularly as African nations shift toward domestic financing of HIV programs. The move marks a strategic step toward health sovereignty and equitable access to next-generation prevention tools.