South Africa is set to produce its first locally produced pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug for HIV prevention. PrEP is a once-daily pill regimen shown to dramatically reduce HIV infection rates when taken correctly and consistently.
South African company Aspen Pharmacare will be the first in the country to manufacture the drug, set to be made available with local branding and co-packaged with condoms and other HIV/AIDS-related information.
This is a major breakthrough for HIV/AIDS prevention in a country where more than 7 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, making it the country with the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. This locally produced drug is expected to be significantly cheaper than other imported versions, allowing for greater access to the medication.