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Gilead HIV Drug Reaches Latin America Via PAHO
15 Sep
Summary
- Gilead partnered with PAHO to expand HIV drug access.
- The agreement covers 14 countries in Latin America and Caribbean.
- New HIV infections in the region rose 13% between 2010 and 2024.
Gilead Sciences has entered into a pivotal agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to enhance the availability of its HIV prevention medication across Latin America and the Caribbean. This collaboration is a direct response to the increasing rates of new HIV infections in these regions, which saw a 13% rise between 2010 and 2024, attributed by Gilead to gaps in prevention medicine utilization.
The agreement establishes a streamlined procurement channel for lenacapavir, marketed as Yeztugo in the U.S., through PAHO's regional purchasing system. This pathway is specifically designed for 14 countries that are not currently included in Gilead's voluntary licensing agreements for generic versions of the drug. These nations will now have a direct route to access this crucial preventative treatment.
This initiative is part of Gilead's broader strategy to ensure equitable access to its long-acting HIV prevention drug. The company has previously granted royalty-free licenses to generic manufacturers for distribution in resource-limited settings. Gilead is also exploring local production possibilities with Brazil's Health Ministry, indicating a commitment to localized solutions.
