Doctors Without Borders Accuses Gilead of Refusing to Sell HIV Prevention Drug Lenacapavir

Doctors Without Borders publicly condemned Gilead Sciences as 'unconscionable' after the pharmaceutical company refused to sell its HIV prevention drug lenacapavir directly to the nonprofit following months of negotiations. Lenacapavir, administered as injections every six months, has shown virtually complete protection from HIV infection in studies and represents a major advancement in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Currently, Doctors Without Borders obtains lenacapavir through The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which secured a late 2024 deal with Gilead to distribute the drug to 2 million people in low- and middle-income countries. However, Doctors Without Borders states this allocation is capped and demand far exceeds supply, prompting their unsuccessful attempt to purchase additional doses directly from Gilead.

Doctors Without Borders' Request and Gilead's Refusal

• ▪Doctors Without Borders asked Gilead Sciences for a limited supply of lenacapavir after months of talks
• ▪Doctors Without Borders called Gilead Sciences' refusal to sell lenacapavir unconscionable
• ▪Gilead Sciences refused to sell lenacapavir directly to Doctors Without Borders

Lenacapavir's Effectiveness as HIV Prevention

• ▪Lenacapavir is administered as a single set of injections every six months
• ▪Lenacapavir is a form of HIV prevention known as preexposure prophylaxis or PrEP
• ▪Studies showed lenacapavir can offer virtually complete protection from HIV infection

Current Distribution Through The Global Fund

• ▪The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a worldwide partnership of governments, civil society groups, and the private sector
• ▪Doctors Without Borders currently obtains lenacapavir through The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• ▪Doctors Without Borders stated that allocation from The Global Fund is capped and demand far exceeds supply
• ▪The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria reached a deal with Gilead Sciences in late 2024 to distribute lenacapavir to 2 million people in low- and middle-income countries

Perspective of Doctors Without Borders

• ▪Doctors Without Borders argues that demand for lenacapavir far exceeds the capped supply available through The Global Fund
• ▪Doctors Without Borders sought to purchase lenacapavir directly from Gilead Sciences after months of negotiations

Perspective of Gilead Sciences

• ▪Gilead Sciences declined to provide lenacapavir directly to Doctors Without Borders despite months of negotiations

Perspective of HIV prevention advocates

• ▪Lenacapavir represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention due to its six-month dosing schedule compared to daily pills
• ▪The limited availability of lenacapavir creates barriers to accessing highly effective HIV prevention in regions with high infection rates