Groundbreaking HIV injection lenacapavir has been added to SA’s essential medicines list

Zuko Komisa

South Africa’s NEMLC approved the addition of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention, to the Essential Medicines List (EML).
The decision aligns with the Department of Health’s goal to ensure affordable, quality medicines and is expected to encourage the production of generic versions.
Following registration as the first in Africa, the treatment is slated for launch in the public health sector as early as March 2026 to address gaps in current prevention methods.

The groundbreaking, twice-a-year anti-HIV injection, lenacapavir, has been approved for addition to South Africa’s Essential Medicines List (EML) by the National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC).

The Department of Health confirmed the decision is a step towards ensuring affordable and accessible treatment.

The inclusion is also expected to encourage generic production, boosting availability in low- and middle-income countries.

This follows SAHPRA’s registration of lenacapavir last month, making South Africa the first African nation to approve the long-acting preventative treatment.

The new injection is set to be launched in the public sector as early as March 2026 and is expected to fill critical gaps in current HIV prevention methods.

The Department emphasised the EML’s crucial role in achieving universal health coverage, especially in a resource-constrained environment.