By Wanique Block
After Zimbabwe, South Africa now becomes the second African country to approve the usage of the world’s first HIV prevention injection.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has authorized and confirmed an injection containing the antiretroviral cabotegravir (CAB-LA) to prevent HIV infection.
Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) is an anti-retroviral drug (ARV) that prevents HIV from multiplying in an infected person’s body.
CAB-LA can also be used to prevent HIV infection when it is taken before exposure to HIV. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.
This HIV Prevention injection is the first and only long-acting injectable PrEP for reducing the risk of HIV infection and should be taken every two months.
It is also said that this drug is a safe and highly effective prevention drug for people who are at high risk of contracting HIV.
The injection has also been approved in other countries such as Australia, the United States, and Zimbabwe.
CAB-LA is said to be sold in South Africa under the brand name Apretude, but whether or not South Africa’s health department buys it is dependent on the price at which ViiV Healthcare sells it to the government.
Read Next: Zimbabwe becomes the first country in Africa to approve an HIV prevention drug
