WHO Advances HIV Prevention: New Guidelines for Lenacapavir and Testing Protocols
The World Health Organization (WHO) is convening a Guideline Development Group (GDG) to develop new recommendations on the use of injectable lenacapavir as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV and optimize HIV testing services for long-acting prevention products. These updates aim to address the needs of populations disproportionately affected by HIV and enhance global access to effective prevention and testing methods.
The GDG, composed of experts from diverse regions and communities, will review evidence, systematic reviews, and technical data to propose guidelines. The group will convene virtually from January 28 to 30, 2025.
The primary goal is to establish a normative framework for implementing lenacapavir and improving delivery models for new and existing long-acting HIV prevention products. Specific objectives include:
- Evaluating the effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of injectable lenacapavir as an additional PrEP option for populations at significant risk of HIV infection, advocating for its inclusion in combination prevention strategies.
- Providing evidence-based recommendations for HIV testing protocols tailored to users of long-acting PrEP, including guidance on initiation, continuation, and discontinuation, with a focus on implementation in low-resource settings.
GDG members, selected based on expertise and community representation, serve independently rather than as organizational representatives. This collaborative effort reflects WHO’s commitment to advancing innovative approaches to reduce HIV transmission and expand access to high-quality prevention and testing services globally.
The new guidelines will serve as a critical resource for health systems worldwide to address the challenges of HIV prevention effectively.
