US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves new HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves new HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir

Posted 21 Jun 2025

2 min read

FDA approval also paves the way for WHO prequalification, which can accelerate national regulatory approvals.

  • WHO Prequalification of Medicines Programme (PQP) helps ensure that medicines supplied by procurement agencies meet acceptable standards of quality, safety and efficacy.

About Lenacapavir

  • Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral medicine that is used for HIV prevention as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP. 
    • PrEP is a medication that can reduce the risk of HIV infection for individuals who are HIV-negative but are at risk of contracting the virus.
    • WHO currently recommends oral PrEP, the dapivirine vaginal ring, and long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as options for HIV PrEP.

About HIV

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system.
  • Mechanism: HIV damages the immune system by infecting and destroying CD4 cells (CD4 T lymphocytes), a type of white blood cells.
  • Transmission: HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. 
    • It can also spread from a mother to her baby
  • Treatment: HIV can be prevented and treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). 
    • Untreated HIV can progress to Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  • According to HIV Estimations 2023 report, over 2.5 million people are living with HIV in India.

India’s Initiatives

  • National AIDS Control Programme Phase-V (2021-26) aims at achieving 80% reduction in new infections.
    • 95-95-95 Target: 95% of HIV-positive individuals know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those patients achieve viral suppression.
  • HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017 prohibits discrimination against HIV-positive people. 
  • Commitment to End HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
  • Youth-targeted initiatives like Red Ribbon Clubs in educational institutions.
  • Tags :
  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • Anti-Retroviral Drug
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