Zimbabwe has taken a significant step in HIV prevention by introducing Cabotegravir long-acting (CAB-LA), an injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, to its HIV prevention regime. This antiretroviral (ARV) medication is designed to suppress HIV infection for individuals who are HIV-negative but at a high risk of contracting the virus.
CAB-LA marks the third PrEP product to be introduced in demonstration sites under the CATALYST study (Catalyzing Access to New Prevention Products to Stop HIV). The study has previously introduced the dapivirine ring and oral PrEP as HIV prevention options for women, and now CAB-LA becomes the third product available.
Speaking at a health communicators forum in Harare, Dr. Idah Moyo, the HIV prevention clinical officer in the Ministry of Health and Child Care's AIDS and TB Programme, announced that Zimbabweans can now access injectable PrEP at 15 demonstration sites.
CAB-LA serves as a long-term injection for pre-exposure prophylaxis, aiming to prevent the acquisition of HIV for individuals who are HIV-negative but face a substantial risk of infection. The intervention will be implemented in the demonstration sites to gather valuable insights that will inform the nationwide rollout of CAB-LA across the country.
Dr. Moyo emphasized that healthcare providers at the sites will equip clients with the necessary knowledge to make informed choices among the available PrEP products. Individuals will be able to select a relevant and appropriate method based on their needs, preferences, and lifestyles.
Zimbabwe has been at the forefront of embracing new HIV prevention options. In 2021, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) approved the use of the dapivirine ring, and in 2022, CAB-LA received approval, making Zimbabwe the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to approve this product.
Dr. Moyo clarified that the injectable PrEP will complement existing prevention methods and should be used alongside other measures such as condom use, as it does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unintended pregnancies.
CAB-LA, an ARV medication, reduces the replication of the HIV virus. While research findings exist, the country aims to gather additional insights through the demonstration projects, which will inform the nationwide rollout. Healthcare providers at the selected sites have been trained on CAB-LA administration to facilitate the implementation and learning process. Clinicians are responsible for administering the injection.
Eligible individuals who can access PrEP include sero-discordant couples, adolescent girls and young women, pregnant and lactating women in relationships with partners of unknown HIV status or who are HIV-positive but have unsuppressed viral loads. PrEP is also available for people who use and inject drugs, key populations such as sex workers, high-risk men, and transgender individuals, among others.
Since its implementation in 2016, Zimbabwe has made significant progress in PrEP initiation, with approximately 217,461 individuals receiving PrEP. The country also ranks ninth globally in terms of the number of new PrEP initiations among the 120 countries reporting on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis.
