MALAWI: Country To Receive First Lenacapavir Shipment In 2026

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

Malawi is expected to receive its first shipment of lenacapavir a twice-a-year injectable HIV prevention drug by the end of February 2026, marking a major step forward in expanding the nation’s HIV prevention options. The drug is viewed as a game changer for groups that struggle with daily pill adherence.

National AIDS Commission (NAC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Beatrice Matanje, told MBCDigital that although Malawi was not part of the initial rollout, it has been guaranteed a place in the second cohort under the PEPFAR programme. She said this assurance gives hope that the country will access the new prevention method soon.

Dr. Matanje further indicated that the exact rollout timeline will depend on approval from the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA). This is despite the drug already being cleared internationally by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

So far, only Zambia and Eswatini have received shipments, each securing 1,000 doses from the US government. Their early access has intensified calls from health advocates for Malawi to speed up regulatory processes to avoid delays.

Lenacapavir is administered twice a year and works by blocking HIV from entering healthy cells, providing long-lasting protection without the need for daily antiretroviral pills. Health experts say the drug could significantly reduce new infections, especially among adolescent girls and young women who face higher vulnerability.

Stakeholders in the health sector are now urging government agencies to finalise all necessary reviews in good time, arguing that early access could support Malawi’s goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.