HIV PREVENTION INJECTION RUNS OUT IN SOME STATES AS DEMAND RISES

Demand for the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir has increased in several Nigerian states, with supplies running out in Benue, Kwara, Gombe and Cross River.

The injectable drug, which provides an alternative to daily oral HIV prevention pills, was introduced under a Federal Government pilot programme in March 2026. Nigeria initially received 11,520 doses, which were distributed to 10 pilot locations.

In Benue, more than 2,000 HIV-negative people have received Lenacapavir since the programme began in May. The state’s initial allocation has now been exhausted, although officials said additional supplies were being processed.

Kwara has also used up its initial allocation of more than 800 doses. The state AIDS Programme Coordinator, Muhammed Rasheed, said more than 1,000 additional doses were expected after the supply ran out.

Cross River has similarly experienced increased demand, particularly among sex workers. Health workers said some beneficiaries preferred Lenacapavir because it requires an injection every six months rather than taking HIV prevention pills daily.

Officials said demand in Cross River initially remained low because of limited awareness and stigma, but increased after counselling and sensitisation efforts.

The supply situation differs in Lagos, where health officials said there were enough doses available but low uptake among eligible residents. The state has been encouraging more people to come forward and access the prevention option.

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS said stock-outs in individual states should not be interpreted as a nationwide shortage. The agency attributed some supply challenges to logistics and funding constraints, noting that the current programme is still a pilot designed to assess demand, distribution, storage and healthcare capacity.

Anambra, which also exhausted its initial allocation, recently received a fresh supply. An official involved in the programme said eligible residents had been seeking the drug, with some preferring Key Population centres where it is available free of charge.

Lenacapavir was developed by Gilead Sciences and endorsed by the World Health Organisation in July 2025 as an additional HIV-prevention option. It is administered once every six months to eligible HIV-negative people.