Uganda High Court: No Immediate Relief from Second Dose Lenacapivir Supply Shortage

• Uganda is experiencing a shortage of second doses of Lenacapavir, an HIV-preventing injection.
• Demand for the drug has surpassed available supplies, with 60% of facilities receiving second batches earlier than scheduled due to running out of stock.
• The country expects a top-up consignment of another 19,200 doses donated by the Global Fund and the American government.
• Experts warn that Lenacapivir is not a vaccine and that people must be compliant with the prescribed dosing schedule to maintain optimal drug levels in their blood.

The injection is not a vaccine and that people must be compliant with the prescribed dosing schedule to maintain optimal drug levels in their blood.

The Ugandan government has been distributing Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV-preventing injection, since April, with the initial recipients set to receive their second dose in October. However, reports indicate that demand for the drug has surpassed available supplies, leading to a shortage of second doses. According to Dr. Herbert Kadama, who coordinates Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) at the Ministry of Health, 60% of facilities that received the first batch have now received second batches, but these were delivered earlier than scheduled due to running out of stock in two to three weeks.

The country is expecting a top-up consignment of another 19,200 doses donated by the Global Fund and the American government. However, Dr. Peter Mudiope, who is the Coordinator HIV Prevention in the ministry, has stated that the current price of Lenacapivir ($28,000 per dose) is too high for the government to afford, making donations crucial for guaranteeing availability.

The distribution of Lenacapavir in Uganda is part of the country's efforts to reduce new HIV infections. The Ugandan AIDS Commission hopes that by providing access to this game-changing injection, they can cut the 37,000 new infections recorded yearly to less than 10,000 by 2030. However, experts warn that the injection is not a vaccine and that people must be compliant with the prescribed dosing schedule to maintain optimal drug levels in their blood.

The Ministry of Health has reported that the initial recipients of Lenacapavir were those listed as high-risk, but demand surpassed available supplies, leading to access by those not initially targeted. This highlights the need for effective distribution and management of HIV prevention services in Uganda.

The ongoing supply shortage of Lenacapavir has significant implications for lawyers advising clients on HIV prevention options in Uganda. Experts recommend considering alternative methods, such as condoms or PrEP tablets, to maintain compliance with optimal drug levels. The study conducted by Makerere University School of Public Health found that use of key prevention options is low, with only 24% of female sex workers and injection drug users using PEP in the last three months.

The shortage also underscores the need for effective distribution and management of HIV prevention services in Uganda. With supplies not yet guaranteed, the public should continue relying on other scientifically tested and confirmed prevention methods to prevent HIV infection.

Lawyers advising clients on HIV prevention options in Uganda should be aware of the ongoing supply shortage of Lenacapavir and recommend alternative methods, such as condoms or PrEP tablets, to maintain compliance with optimal drug levels.

Source: Original reporting via URN