Three South African pharmaceutical firms are competing for the opportunity to manufacture the injectable HIV prevention medication lenacapavir locally. This development comes as the National Department of Health continues its national rollout of the six-monthly treatment, which began in mid-2026 across approximately 10% of public sector clinics.
Local Manufacturing And Supply Security
The push for local production is intended to stabilise the supply chain and improve long-term affordability for HIV prevention programmes across the country. Generic manufacturers have already been granted voluntary licenses to produce the drug for selected low- and middle-income markets, creating a path for South African facilities to enter the manufacturing pipeline.
Advancements In HIV Prevention Therapeutics
Beyond the injectable lenacapavir, the domestic pharmaceutical sector is also preparing for the rollout of new oral prevention technologies. Aspen Pharmacare has already secured a licensing agreement to produce alimatravir, a potential monthly HIV prevention pill, pending successful completion of clinical trials and subsequent regulatory approval.