WHO releases new guidelines on injectable drug for HIV prevention

MANILA — The World Health Organization has released new guidelines which, for the first time, recommend the use of an injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. 

Long-acting injectable lenacapavir (LEN) is now part of policy updates released during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference in Rwanda. 

The WHO says LEN “offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options.”

The drug is the first injectable PrEP product that can be taken at an interval of every six months. 

HIV cases in PH rise by 500% among ages 15-25: DOH

“While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus. 

 The world body says based on review of peer-reviewed reports, study protocols and clinical trial registries and study populations, trials on LEN showed a “statistically isgnificant reduction in HIV acquisition compared with both background incidence and daily oral PrEP arms.”

 Further, adverse events of LEN were seen to be mostly mild or moderate in severity and are deemed to be similar to those of of daily PrEP. 

 The Philippine National AIDS Council says while this scientific breakthrough will greatly help in preventing the spread of the virus, it comes with a price tag.

 “Napakamahal nito. Pero napakaganda ng result ng mga studies. In terms of availability sa Philippines wala pa siya sa gobyerno natin. Pagdating sa presyo, malaking usapan pa yan,” said PNAC Executive-Director Dr. Jojo Feliciano. 

 (It’s very expensive. But the results from studies are very good. In terms of availability, we don’t have it yet because when it comes to price, it will be a long discussion.)

 Alarm over high rate of HIV infections among young women, girls

However, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Project Officer Neo Roxas believes the Philippines will have its supply of LEN by 2026. 

 “Under The Global Fund project which is meron pa tayo, they will procure and mag start yung FDA process for approval this year. Hopefully next year meron tayong ilang supplies na pwedeng ma-test dito sa Philippines,” he said, .

 (Under The Global Fund project which is still existent, they will procure and start the FDA process for approval this year. Hopefully by next year we will have several supplies that can be tested in the Philippines.)

HIV as a public health emergency

 In a span of 14 years, HIV cases in the country have risen by 500 percent. In the first quarter of 2025, the Department of Health says the country sees an average of 57 new HIV infections daily. This despite a 40 percent decrease in HIV cases globally.  

What is even more concerning is that in 2024, almost half of new cases belong to those aged between 15-24 years. 

 Data shows that from 1984 to 2024, the country cumulative HIV cases has reached 140,000. The numbers could further rise by the end of the year and 2030. 

 “Pinoproject ng Epidemiology Bureau na baka umabot ng 250,000 cases by end of 2025. By 2030, pwedeng umabot 450-500,000 cases. Nakita natin na ang pagdami ng cases ay exponential,” Feliciano said. 

 (The Epidemiology Bureau projects that the number of HIV cases may reach 250,000 by the end of 2025 and by 2030 it may reach 450-500,000 cases. We’ve observed that the increase in cases is exponential.) 

In June, the DOH says it has recommended to the Office of the President to declare HIV as a national public health emergency. A draft Executive Order has already been sent to the executive to lay down plans that every government agency should undertake to ensure the country’s battle against the disease is holistic. 

 The DOH is now awaiting a meeting with the President. 

 The declaration of HIV as a public health emergency would hasten the process of procuring HIV/AIDS commodities as well as influence local governments to invest in HIV/AIDS mitigating measures.