The National Department of Health in South Africa seeks information on affordable prices for the anti-HIV injection CAB-LA. This comes after accepting a donation of 231,000 doses from the US government’s PEPFAR programme. A request for information is a formal way for the government to ask manufacturers about a product’s price, production capacity, and supply details.
Khadija Jamaloodien, head of procurement, said the government needs to ensure it can continue to provide the medicine after the donation ends, which is why it is exploring affordable purchasing options for CAB-LA.
The CAB-LA injection stops the virus from entering white blood cells
CAB-LA is a long-acting injection that can prevent HIV by stopping the virus from entering white blood cells. It was registered in South Africa as an HIV prevention medicine in December 2022 but has not been purchased due to high costs.
The first batch of donated CAB-LA doses will arrive between October and December 2023 and will be distributed across 867 health facilities. However, the donation will only cover about 21,000 people over two years.
Manufacturers have until September 9 to respond with their pricing and supply capabilities. This will help the department determine if CAB-LA can be added to the national HIV care package.
Studies show that CAB-LA works better than daily HIV prevention pills, mainly because it is easier to stick to a bi-monthly injection schedule. The department is also considering generic versions of CAB-LA, which are expected to be available by 2027, to reduce costs further. Overall, the goal is to ensure sustainable access to CAB-LA for HIV prevention and reduce new infections in South Africa.
The Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism produced this article.