By Staff Reporter
As the country continues its efforts in reducing the transmission of HIV, towards a lower prevalence of the virus, the introduction of the injectable and long acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug will go a long way in reducing new infections.
Cabotegravir injection is used for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in certain adults and adolescents 12 years of age or older weighing at least 35 kg
The drug, an ARV designed to suppress any infection as it occurs, is for HIV-negative people who have a high risk of becoming infected with HIV. It is the third pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) product licensed in the country following the PrEP pill and the ring.
Population Solutions for Health ( PSH) Zimbabwe shared news of them welcoming their first patient receiving the life changing injection.
” Population Solutions for Health is thrilled to have welcomed their first recipient of care for the life-changing injectable cabotegravir (CAB_LA) at the New Start Centre in Harare. This cutting-edge Biomedical HIV prevention option for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers convenient and potent means of preventing HIV transmission among individuals at substantial risk.”
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) approved the use of the dapivirine ring in 2021 and in 2022, it approved CAB-LA, making Zimbabwe the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to approve the product.
The injection is anticipated to make it easier for high risk populations to prevent HIV infection as it is an easier option to adhere to, compared to the oral pill.
Since its implementation in 2016, the country has made significant strides with about 217 461 people being initiated on PrEP. Zimbabwe also reported the ninth-highest number of new initiations among the 120 countries that are reporting on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis.