Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care says the long-acting injectable HIV prevention medicine, Lenacapavir will be administered for free to beneficiaries and is due to arrive in the country in January 2026.
The government will access the drug at a subsidised cost of $US40 per year for the two doses.
The Minister, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, said this groundbreaking medication, which requires only two injections per year, will be provided to all eligible patients free of charge saying it aligns with the nation’s policy of offering all HIV medications at no cost.
“This drug was very expensive, but because discussions have taken place, the company which is producing the drug has agreed to lower the cost to a level where it will cost US$40 per year, which becomes very affordable. Remember, it’s only two doses per year,” he said.
The Ministry has also done trainings for the staff that will oversee its roll out at the various sites that have been identified in Zimbabwe.
Lenacapavir was approved by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) on November 22, 2025 and will be targeting vulnerable populations in the country.
“This medicine is intended for people at substantial risk of acquiring HIV, including adolescent girls and young women, pregnant and breastfeeding women, key populations, and mobile workers,” said the Minister.
Lenacapavir offers a major advantage over traditional daily prevention pills by requiring only two injections annually, a feature the Minister said would directly address challenges of adherence and the stigma associated with frequent clinic visits.
Dr Mombeshora emphasised that Lenacapavir is an additional layer of protection in Zimbabwes HIV prevention toolkit.
He said It does not replace the traditional and proven ABC pillars of prevention, A for Abstinence, B for Being Faithful to one partner, and C for Correct and Consistent Condom Use.
He said Lenacapavir must not be seen as a license to engage in risky behaviour as Sexually transmitted infections and other communicable diseases remain prevalent, and Lenacapavir does not protect against them.
The new twice-yearly injectable drug is seen as essential to closing prevention gaps and accelerating the nation’s progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, aligning “squarely with the country’s goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
@NyembeziMu
