Seeking to prevent the spread of HIV, Unitaid is providing $31 million to South Africa and Zambia in hopes of widening access to a groundbreaking prevention medicine beyond traditional health clinics.
The United Nations global health organization will work with local health ministries and community groups, among others, to facilitate distribution of lenacapavir to vulnerable populations — including sex workers and pregnant and breastfeeding women — through venues like pharmacies and hair salons.
The plan is to quickly expand distribution through unorthodox channels in order to build on the promise of the injectable medicine, which is seen as a game-changing tool to eradicate HIV because it offers virtually complete protection against contracting the virus with just a single administration every six months. Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…