The article discusses the development and distribution of a new HIV prevention shot, lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences. The shot is a twice-yearly injection that can prevent HIV infection in people at high risk of contracting the disease.
Gilead has licensed its technology to generic manufacturers in 120 low- and lower-middle-income countries, which will allow for cheaper versions of the drug to be produced. However, this deal excludes upper-middle-income countries such as Brazil or Argentina, where infections have been rising.
The article also notes that the Trump administration has announced it will not distribute lenacapavir to South Africa, a country with one of the highest HIV rates in the world. This decision is seen as a major setback for efforts to combat the epidemic.
The article suggests that the distribution of lenacapavir will depend on the political choices made by governments and pharmaceutical companies. While breakthrough science has led to the development of the shot, public health progress will be hindered if affordable and accessible versions are not made available to those who need them most.
Overall, the article highlights the complexities and challenges involved in distributing a new HIV prevention tool, particularly in regions with high rates of infection. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that access to lenacapavir is equitable and inclusive, and that efforts are made to reduce costs and increase availability in all countries.
Gilead has licensed its technology to generic manufacturers in 120 low- and lower-middle-income countries, which will allow for cheaper versions of the drug to be produced. However, this deal excludes upper-middle-income countries such as Brazil or Argentina, where infections have been rising.
The article also notes that the Trump administration has announced it will not distribute lenacapavir to South Africa, a country with one of the highest HIV rates in the world. This decision is seen as a major setback for efforts to combat the epidemic.
The article suggests that the distribution of lenacapavir will depend on the political choices made by governments and pharmaceutical companies. While breakthrough science has led to the development of the shot, public health progress will be hindered if affordable and accessible versions are not made available to those who need them most.
Overall, the article highlights the complexities and challenges involved in distributing a new HIV prevention tool, particularly in regions with high rates of infection. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that access to lenacapavir is equitable and inclusive, and that efforts are made to reduce costs and increase availability in all countries.
this is so messed up... rich countries get all the shots while poor ones are stuck with nothing 
... it's like they're playing a cruel game of supply and demand... 120 countries can have cheap versions but south africa gets the boot? 
how many lives will be lost because of this? 
Not just some countries where it's "economically viable" or whatever corporate speak means. I feel like we're taking two steps forward and one step back with this distribution deal. And what's up with South Africa getting snubbed? They're literally fighting the good fight against HIV in that country. Can't we just make sure everyone's got access to this lifesaving shot? 
And what about those high-income countries that need this shot just as much? Do they have to pay an arm and a leg for it? 
This whole thing is just so messed up...
. However, I do think it's a bit concerning that it's not going to be easily accessible in places like South Africa... I mean, that place has one of the highest rates of infection in the world, right? 
How can we claim to be making progress against the epidemic if countries with the worst HIV rates aren't getting this shot? 
. This whole thing makes me wonder, what's the point of breakin' through with new tech if we're just gonna leave some countries behind? 
It's like we're more worried about profit than people's lives. We gotta ask ourselves, what's more important: savin' a buck or savin' lives? 
. I mean, a shot that can prevent HIV infection is amazing, but it's just sitting there, waiting to be used... by people who can afford it? 
Like, what about those in South Africa? They're one of the countries with the highest rates of HIV infections and they get denied access to this life-saving shot? 
It's all about politics and money, right? The fact that Gilead is only licensing it to 120 low- and lower-middle-income countries and not upper-middle-income ones like Brazil or Argentina is just ridiculous. What's the point of having a breakthrough science if we're not going to make it accessible to everyone who needs it? 
Come on, guys, can't we just make some progress here? 
.
It's crazy how one country deciding not to distribute a lifesaving shot can have such a huge impact on global health progress. 
... it's all about priorities I guess. pharmaceutical companies just trying to make a buck off ppl's suffering 
. I'm guessing it's because those countries are a threat to their bottom line, but honestly, shouldn't we be prioritizing people's lives over profits? 
...anyway, if we wanna make a dent in the HIV epidemic, we need to get this shot out to everyone, not just those who can afford it 
it's like, a game changer for people at high risk of getting infected. I love how Gilead is making the tech available to generic manufacturers in 120 low- and lower-middle-income countries, that's just amazing news for global health 
22 mil Americans are infected!