Lenacapavir Arrives in Nigeria: What to Know About the New HIV Prevention Injection

Femi Ashekun/

A new long-acting drug designed to prevent HIV infection is drawing attention among health professionals and the public in Nigeria following reports that the medication, Lenacapavir, is becoming available in the country.

Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiretroviral medicine developed by Gilead Sciences and is being studied and introduced globally as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP.

Unlike traditional HIV prevention pills that must be taken daily, the injection is administered only twice a year, making it one of the longest-acting prevention options currently being developed.

Health experts say the drug could significantly improve HIV prevention, particularly for people who struggle to take daily medication.

Major international trials have shown extremely high levels of protection.

In the PURPOSE 1 trial, which studied cisgender women in several African countries, researchers recorded no HIV infections among participants who received the injection. That translated to 100 percent efficacy in the trial conditions.

A second study, PURPOSE 2, examined men, transgender people, and gender-diverse individuals. Out of 2,180 participants receiving the drug, only two infections were recorded.

Researchers said this equated to roughly a 96 percent reduction in HIV risk compared with background infection rates.

Scientists note that while the results are highly encouraging, no medical intervention is considered completely foolproof outside controlled research conditions.

Real-world factors such as missed doses, delayed injections, or rare biological breakthroughs can still allow infection, though the risk remains extremely small.

Medical professionals emphasise that Lenacapavir is strictly for prevention and must be used correctly.

Individuals must first test negative for HIV before receiving the injection. Taking the drug while already infected could allow the virus to mutate and become resistant to treatment.

Health experts also warn that the injection does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy.
Conditions such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and hepatitis B remain possible, which means condoms are still recommended as part of safer sex practices.

Doctors also stress that the medicine is not a cure for HIV and cannot replace treatment for people who are already living with the virus.

Nigeria has one of the largest HIV burdens in the world. According to the UNAIDS, more than 1.9 million people in the country are living with HIV, making prevention a major public health priority.

Traditional PrEP options such as daily oral medication have been available for several years, but adherence has remained a challenge for many users.

Public health specialists say a twice-yearly injection could remove one of the biggest barriers to prevention, remembering to take a pill every day.

Some Nigerian health advocates say the injection may be available at a subsidised target price of about N58,000, though distribution details and official rollout plans are still evolving.

They warn that people should only obtain the medication from authorised healthcare providers to avoid counterfeit products, a persistent problem in parts of the pharmaceutical market.

Experts also advise individuals interested in the injection to consult qualified medical professionals who can carry out HIV testing, explain eligibility, and ensure proper dosing schedules.

Lenacapavir is part of a broader global effort to reduce HIV transmission through long-acting prevention technologies.

If widely deployed, specialists believe the drug could help close prevention gaps among populations at higher risk and support global targets to end HIV as a public health threat.

However, health authorities continue to stress that no single tool is enough. Testing, condoms, treatment for people living with HIV, and public education remain essential components of prevention.