FG To Roll Out Long-Acting Injectable Drug For HIV Prevention

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a long-acting injectable medication for HIV prevention as part of efforts to end the epidemic by 2030.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of the official launch, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said the initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen HIV prevention, treatment, and care across the country.

Dr Salako explained that Nigeria’s HIV response is guided by scientific evidence and global best practices, with a strong focus on expanding prevention options and improving access to services.

According to him, about 52,000 doses of the drug have been secured following Nigeria’s selection as one of nine countries globally to introduce the innovation.

He described the injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a significant advancement, offering high effectiveness, improved adherence compared to daily pills, and greater convenience and discretion for users.

The minister added that the intervention complements existing prevention options such as oral PrEP and other long-acting formulations, giving individuals more flexibility in choosing methods suited to their needs.

He however cautioned that the medication is strictly a preventive tool and not a treatment for HIV.

He stressed that it must be administered in healthcare facilities and is not approved for unsupervised or take-home use.

Dr Salako also noted that the injection despite its effectiveness against HIV, does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or unintended pregnancy, underscoring the need for continued safe practices.

On access for young people, he clarified that the existing age of consent for such services remains 15 years, with healthcare providers expected to apply professional judgment in service delivery.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, said the rollout would begin on a controlled scale rather than immediate nationwide expansion.

She explained that the phased approach is intended to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and pharmacovigilance.

She emphasized that the intervention is targeted at HIV-negative individuals at high risk of exposure and should not be seen as a blanket solution for the general population.

Ilori further clarified that the medication is currently being provided through global partnerships and not through commercial pharmaceutical channels.

Also speaking, Mrs. Migrate Zamzu of the Global Fund, on behalf of development partners, pledged continued global support for Nigeria, contingent on sustained enabling policies to strengthen healthcare delivery.

The stakeholders urged the public and the media to clearly communicate the scope and limitations of the intervention to avoid misconceptions, as Nigeria intensifies efforts to reduce new HIV infections and strengthen its overall response to the epidemic.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji