Zimbabwe launches long-acting HIV-prevention injection Lenacapavir | 25 Feb 2026

Why in News?

Zimbabwe has become one of the first African countries to launch Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, marking a major milestone in the continent’s fight against HIV/AIDS.

Key Points:

• About Lenacapavir: Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiretroviral medicine used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
• Mechanism of Action: Developed by Gilead Sciences, Lenacapavir is a capsid inhibitor. It works by interfering with the HIV-1 viral capsid (the protein shell protecting the virus's genetic material) at multiple stages of its lifecycle, rendering the virus dysfunctional.
• Biannual Protection: Lenacapavir is the world's first twice-yearly (six-month) injectable for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
• WHO Prequalification: The WHO prequalified the drug in October 2025 and released implementation guidelines in July 2025.
• Regional Leadership: Zimbabwe, along with Zambia and South Africa, has led the adoption of this technology via the WHO Collaborative Registration Procedure to ensure "record time" approval. 
• Target Population: The initial phase targets approximately 46,500 high-risk individuals across 24 sites nationwide, including adolescent girls, young women, sex workers, and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
• Funding and Support: The program is supported by the United States government and the Global Fund, offering the drug free of charge to vulnerable groups.
• Efficacy: Clinical trials demonstrated near 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infections, significantly outperforming daily oral PrEP pills.