The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has registered lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention and treatment medicine.

This means Namibia can now use the injection.

Lenacapavir is administered as an injectable formulation twice a year. 
South Africa, Zambia and Botswana are also registered for lenacapavir. 

Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, says, "This is a bold step in Namibia's fight to curb the spread of HIV."

The ministry has initiated discussions with the director general of the African Medicines Agency to advocate for lower prices.
The injection is currently priced at about N$448 thousand.

"We recognise that the current pricing option of over $28 thousand, generics for the drug are already available in some parts of the world and could cost between $500 and $700 per injection when fully rolled out."

The generic for lenacapavir will be available in 2027.