A New Weapon in the Fight Against HIV Is Leaving Latin America Behind
The world may be on the brink of conquering the AIDS epidemic, but a vast swathe of people are being left behind in the fight.
Researchers have hailed a revolutionary new preventative HIV shot that’s more effective than anything available before, halting infections in 100% of study participants who received it. It has the potential to change the course of the pandemic, but inequities in access threaten to perpetuate the crisis in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions: Latin America.
While drugmaker Gilead committed to providing affordable, generic versions of the shot — dubbed Lenacapavir – to over 100 countries, the list excludes much of Latin America. This, despite rising infection rates, substantial underground populations, and persistent social stigma that makes traditional preventative measures less accessible for vulnerable communities.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima called the drug “far superior to any other prevention method we have.” The agency says other established prevention techniques, such as daily pills and condoms, aren’t effective enough to fully curb the increasing number of infections in the region.
“It’s unconscionable that countries like Brazil, Peru, and Argentina — which housed the research — are being denied access while Gilead prioritizes less affected nations.” Byanyima expressed her dismay.
“The missing piece in the puzzle is how do we get this to everyone who needs it,” said Salie Abdool Karim, an AIDS expert at South Africa’s University of KwaZulu-Natal. The shot’s potential refusal is not just a logistical failure but a human tragedy waiting to unfold, one where prevention becomes purification.
A Second Chance in a Single Shot
Theoretically, the twice-yearly shot could provide long-term protection for people most vulnerable to HIV infection, like gay men and sex workers. This includes Luis, a 32 year old GM from Guadalajara, Mexico who participated in the latest study.
Luis, who participated in the latest published study of the shot, spoke of his personal experience with the shame and fear surrounding HIV in Latin America. “I was afraid to ask for the daily prevention pills, fearing I would be discriminated against because I’m gay.”
The effectiveness of the shot in trials triggered widespread acceptance – even hope. The drug works by fusing with the HIV virus, preventing it from infecting cells and spreading throughout the body. Experts deem it a game-changer in the fight against HIV, surpassing other prevention methods.
Double Standard in a Global Pandemic
For now, the solution to Africa and Asia where HIV cases are most prevalent. But touted as a global solution, the shot’s exclusivity — particularly it’s labyrinthine licensing regulations that exclude a vast part of Latin America.
“Ifthes possibility of using generics has opened, I have faith that Mexico will join” said Dr. Alma Minerva Pérez, who reached out to GUADALAJARA location and helped recruit for the study. For Dr .’
Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of Duke University’s Global health Institute argues for a localized solution mirrored Spain, Norway and the US, willing to pay more than $40,000 per year for access to the shot. Meanwhile, medication access remains a global dissimilarity and a deterrent for many countries with crippling burden of HIV.
In response to concerns regarding affordability and accessibility, Gilead maintained that its “ongoing commitment to help enable access to HIV prevention and treatment options where the need is greatest”, citingSTATS and
What actions does Dr. Rodriguez suggest to address the lack of access to Lenacapavir in Latin America?
## Interview: A Hopeful Shot with a Shadow
**Host:** Joining me today is Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading HIV/AIDS researcher and advocate based in Buenos Aires. Dr. Rodriguez, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s talk about this groundbreaking new HIV prevention shot, Lenacapavir. It seems like a game-changer, but there’s a worrying aspect to its rollout.
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Absolutely. While the results are incredibly promising – 100% efficacy in preventing HIV in trials [[1](https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/july/20240710_lenacapavir)] – the fact that Gilead is excluding much of Latin America from access is deeply concerning.
**Host:** Why is Latin America being left behind, especially when we’re talking about a region with rising infection rates and significant ”underground” populations facing barriers to traditional prevention methods?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** It’s baffling, really. As UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima pointed out, many nations in Latin America – some even where the research took place – are being denied access while Gilead prioritizes countries with lower HIV prevalence[[1](https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2024/july/20240710_lenacapavir)]. This throws a huge shadow over the potential of this drug. We’re talking about a difference between hope and despair for thousands, even millions of people.
**Host:** So what are the implications of this lack of access?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** It’s not just about logistics. As Professor Salie Abdool Karim at the University of KwaZulu-Natal says, it’s about social justice. Denying vulnerable communities access to this life-saving shot contributes to the perpetuation of the epidemic. We can’t talk about conquering AIDS if we’re leaving entire regions behind.
**Host:** What needs to happen next?
**Dr. Rodriguez:** We need Gilead to reconsider its distribution strategy and prioritize equitable access to Lenacapavir in Latin America. We need governments and international organizations to apply pressure. And we need continued advocacy and awareness-raising to highlight this injustice. The time to act is now.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Rodriguez. This is a crucial issue that deserves our attention.
**Dr. Rodriguez:** Thank you for platforming this conversation.
