Kenya is set to launch injectable ARVs as a treatment option for HIV.

Kenya is set to mark a major milestone in the treatment of HIV/AIDS by introducing injectable antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. This new form of treatment will replace the daily ARV pills that have been used for over two decades, offering a significant advancement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

With the injectable treatment, people living with HIV/AIDS will have the option to receive their doses either every two months or once every six months, eliminating the need for daily pill consumption and making it more convenient.

The move to long-acting medication follows successful clinical trials conducted over two years, starting in 2022. These trials involved 162 women out of 512 participants in the CARES study, which was conducted across eight sites in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. In Kenya, the trials were held at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in Kericho, and the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) in Eldoret.

The trials confirmed that the injectable treatment is just as effective as the daily oral pills previously used to suppress HIV among adults in Africa.

Despite the excitement surrounding this breakthrough, concerns about the cost of the drug remain. The government has reassured the public that it is committed to keeping the medicine affordable. Dr. Ruth Marsha, CEO of the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC), expressed confidence that the price would remain within the range of $10 (Ksh 1,293) to $14 (Ksh 1,810) per dose.

The introduction of the injectable ARV could lead to a global shift in HIV treatment as the disease continues to be a major health concern. As of 2024, approximately 1.38 million Kenyans are living with HIV/AIDS, with 487,710 men and 890,747 women affected. The national HIV prevalence rate stands at 3.3%. Since the start of the pandemic in the 1980s, over 40 million people worldwide have died from AIDS-related illnesses, according to USAID.

In addition to the injectable ARV, research is underway at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Walter Reed Project in Kericho to develop an HIV vaccine, with funding from USAID amounting to seven billion shillings.