A $40 shot against HIV: the first generic of the twice-yearly prevention jab clears its FDA milestone

A twice-yearly injection that was nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV in large trials has been priced at about $28,000 a year in the United States under the brand name Yeztugo. The generic version is expected to cost $40 a year — and it just cleared a decisive hurdle. India's Dr Reddy's Laboratories has become the first of six manufacturers licensed by Gilead Sciences to win tentative approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for its copy of lenacapavir, a stamp that tells global buyers and national regulators the drug meets the FDA's standards for safety, efficacy and quality. The licence covers 120 low- and middle-income countries; Unitaid, which is supporting the project with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, says initial supplies could reach a few low-income countries by the end of 2026 — Zambia may be first — with a broader rollout in 2027. Two shots a year, at $40, in the places that need them most.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: market force