Let’s Learn: South Africa Takes Local Production of HIV Prevention into Its Own Hands
On 5 March 2026, South Africa announced plans to produce lenacapavir locally, a long-acting HIV prevention drug originally developed by Gilead Sciences. Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly injection that has shown near-complete effectiveness in preventing HIV, making it one of the most promising tools in reducing infections, particularly in high-burden countries.
Local production is being pursued in collaboration with Unitaid, USP, and other partners, through a call for expression of interest to identify South African manufacturers capable of producing quality-assured lenacapavir. This effort will expand regional manufacturing capacity, strengthen supply resilience, and bring production closer to communities that need it most.
Producing HIV medicines on African soil is not just about access—it’s about health sovereignty, workforce development, and scientific capacity building. The initiative is coordinated by the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and supported by institutions including Africa CDC, African Medicines Agency, UNAIDS, and the SADC Secretariat. Together, they are ensuring regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and equitable access across the region.
This step also builds on previous milestones, like the first procurement of locally manufactured HIV medicine (TLD) for Mozambique, and aligns with Africa’s broader efforts to develop sustainable, regionally-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing. By producing medicines locally, African countries strengthen health security, create jobs, and reduce dependence on global supply chains.
South Africa’s initiative highlights why investing in local manufacturing is critical for ending HIV as a public health threat. When Africa controls production, it can ensure predictable, affordable, and high-quality medicines for its communities, demonstrating that health is not only a right but a responsibility we can own and sustain.
Learn more about Africa’s steps toward self-reliant health systems: South Africa launches bid to enable local production of long-acting HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir – Unitaid
