By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Federal Government has got the consignment of the first tranche of 11,520 doses of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV/AIDS drug administered twice yearly.
The consignment is part of a total of 52,000 doses expected in three batches under a Global Fund-supported initiative.and it was delivered on Wednesday, March 18, at the Federal Central Stores, Oshodi, Lagos State.
The consignment was received by the Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr Mohammed Patiko, who represented the National Coordinator of the NASCP.
Pakito described the delivery as a critical milestone in expanding Nigeria’s HIV prevention toolkit, adding that the injections would be provided at no cost for eight pilot states under the national programme pilot and study.
He further added that the distribution to designated facilities through existing logistics systems is expected to commence next week.
Patiko stated that unlike daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which has been associated with adherence challenges, lenacapavir offers a more convenient alternative, with public health experts noting that the option could dramatically improve uptake, particularly among high-risk groups.
Also speaking, Dr Oladipupo Fisher, State AIDS Programme Coordinator, Lagos, said the introduction of lenacapavir strengthens the country’s multi-pronged prevention strategy.
Fisher emphasised that Nigeria is leveraging a combination of prevention tools, including oral PrEP, vaginal rings, and other injectables, alongside aggressive testing and treatment campaigns.
Also, Chiagozie Mgbemena of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) said the injection is safe.
“For any drug to be approved, it must meet safety standards. While clinical trials were not conducted locally, rollout provides an opportunity to monitor safety in our population.
“We have pharmacovigilance systems in place to track adverse drug reactions. Any serious side effects will be reported to NAFDAC, which will guide further action,” he said..
