Ever since Gerald Mwenge tested positive for HIV eight years ago, keeping his viral load under control has meant carrying vials of pills for his daily treatment regimen while fighting the stigma. This may mean in Uganda to avoid stigma.
But he hopes that could soon change thanks to an injectable treatment that only needs to be taken once every two months.
In October last year, about 200 patients in the East African country began a trial of a World Health Organization-approved injection containing the drugs cabotegravir, or CAB-LA, and rilpivirine. Results are due in 2024.
The treatment, developed by British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, is the first pill-free option against HIV, and studies have shown that it even improves the effectiveness of oral pills.
GSK’s treatment won US approval late last year and was endorsed by the World Health Organization this year.
GSK struck a deal in July to allow lower-cost generic versions to be used in the developing world but said the first generics would likely only be available in 2026 because of regulatory requirements for manufacturing and use.
In the interim, GSK said it is working on providing free practices for governments to conduct education. Trials are also underway in Kenya and South Africa.
The drugs were “very promising,” said William Tamal, manager of the injectable antiretroviral treatment program at the Joint Clinical Research Center in Uganda.
The JCRC was chosen to trial the injectable drug and is in charge of the program in Tamale Uganda, where at least 1.4 million people live with HIV/AIDS.