New HIV injection Lenacapavir not for pregnant women, FG warns

n n

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Temitope Ilori, has clarified that the newly introduced long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir (LenPrEP), is not recommended for use among pregnant women.

n

Ilori made this known on Monday during a media parley organised by the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja.

n

She explained that although global clinical studies have shown a high safety margin for the drug, its use in pregnancy remains restricted due to insufficient evidence on its effects in that population.

n

“Even though LenPrEP is considered very safe based on global studies, it is not recommended for pregnant women. It is important to emphasise that this is a preventive intervention, not a treatment,” Ilori said.

n

She described Lenacapavir as a highly innovative addition to HIV prevention tools but cautioned that it does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis.

n

“We must stress that it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections or other infections like hepatitis. People must continue to take comprehensive precautions,” she added.

n

Also speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, Adebobola Bashorun, disclosed that the Federal Government is working toward expanding access to the drug across more states.

n

“As we scale up, we are exploring catalytic funding to increase the number of doses and extend coverage to populations most at risk,” Bashorun said.

n

He noted that Lenacapavir would complement, not replace, existing HIV prevention methods such as oral pre-exposure prophylaxis.

n

“We already have multiple prevention options. Individuals can still use oral PrEP. National policy guidelines will determine how best to integrate this new option into existing programmes,” he added.

n

On safety concerns, Bashorun explained that reported side effects have been mild and largely limited to injection-site reactions.

n

“The common side effects include pain at the injection site, which is expected. We are actively monitoring for any adverse reactions and so far, the outcomes are encouraging,” he said

n

Earlier, the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, highlighted that the introduction of Lenacapavir in Nigeria is being facilitated through support from the Global Fund.

n

“This drug is being made available through a partnership with the Global Fund. Over time, we expect to engage manufacturers directly and explore pathways for local production,” Salako said.

n

He added that discussions around technology transfer and domestic manufacturing would be critical to ensuring long-term sustainability and reducing dependence on external donors.

n

Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable developed by Gilead Sciences, has recently gained global attention as a potential breakthrough in HIV prevention. Unlike daily oral PrEP, it is administered as an injection twice a year, offering a more convenient option for individuals who struggle with adherence.

n

Nigeria bears one of the largest HIV burdens globally, with an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV, according to recent data from NACA. While significant progress has been made in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, prevention gaps persist—particularly among key populations and young people.

n

Public health experts have welcomed Lenacapavir as a “game-changer” but caution that its success will depend on equitable access, sustained funding, and integration into Nigeria’s broader HIV response strategy.

n

Despite optimism, concerns remain about affordability, long-term financing, and health system readiness. Nigeria’s HIV programmes are still heavily donor-funded, raising questions about sustainability if international support declines.

n

There are also ongoing discussions about ensuring that the rollout of new technologies like Lenacapavir does not divert resources from other critical health priorities such as malaria control, maternal health, and routine immunisation.

n

For now, health authorities maintain that Lenacapavir represents an important addition to the country’s HIV prevention toolkit—but not a standalone solution.

n n