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

    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
    Watch News Today
    Subscribe for Premium Features