The European Medicine Agency has recommended to authorize the drug with annual injection twice with the aim of preventing HIV, which scientists say that the virus can help end the transmission of the virus.
In a statement on Friday, the European Union’s drug regulator stated that its evaluation of the Lenkapavir sold by Gilead Sciences as Yeytuo in Europe showed that the drug is “highly effective” and “major public health interests are considered.” Once the guidance of the regulator is accepted by the European Commission, the authority is valid in all 27 European Union member countries as well as Iceland, Norway and Lichenstein.
Last year, studies suggested that already used to treat people with HIVs, about 100% effective in preventing transmission in both women and men.
Winnie Baneima, Executive Director of the United Nations AIDS agency, has said that the drug “HIV can change the trajectory of epidemic” if it is made available to all that need it.
In June, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized Lenakpavir to prevent HIV. Earlier this month, countries recommended by the World Health Organization offered the drug as an additional option for people at risk of virus.
Condoms help guards against HIV infection if used properly. Other drugs for preventing HIV include daily pills that people can take and another injectable drug is called Cabotegravir, which is given every two months. The six -month safety of the Lenkapavir makes it the longest running type, an alternative that can attract people careful with more visits in health clinics or stigmatize it by taking daily pills.
However, critics have expressed concern that Lenkapavir cannot be widely enough to prevent the global outbreak of HIV. Drug manufacturer Gilid has stated that it will allow this cheap, general versions to be sold with high HIV rates in 120 poor countries – mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia and Caribbean.
But it has excluded almost all of Latin America, where the rates are very low, but growing, worrying that the world is missing an important opportunity to prevent the disease.
Last year, around 630,000 AIDS died worldwide and over 40 million people are estimated to be HIV, according to UNAIDS.
UNAIDS Chief Bayanima has earlier suggested that US President Donald Trump made a deal with Gilid and its “magical” prevention worldwide licensed and licensed millions of people who need it to produce and license.