South Africa to Produce CAB-LA

May 19, 2023

South Africa is set to embark on a groundbreaking initiative that will address the accessibility and affordability of HIV-prevention medication. The country will start producing a generic version of the highly effective HIV-prevention drug, CAB-LA (cabotegravir).

The Power of CAB-LA in Preventing HIV Infection

CAB-LA, short for long-acting cabotegravir, has emerged as a revolutionary drug in the fight against HIV. Its mechanism involves blocking the virus from entering a person’s cells, greatly reducing the risk of HIV transmission through sexual intercourse. Studies have shown that CAB-LA performs better than daily HIV-prevention pills, which are already available in many parts of the African continent.

Addressing Affordability Challenges

The branded version of CAB-LA, with a price tag of $3,500 per injection in the United States, poses significant affordability challenges. This cost is prohibitive for many governments, including South Africa. However, the production of a generic version of CAB-LA offers hope for affordable access to this life-saving medication.

Production Locations: Benoni and Durban

According to reports, the generic version of CAB-LA will be produced at plants located in Benoni, near Johannesburg, and Durban. This strategic move aims to address the pressing healthcare needs of millions of people at risk of HIV infection in Africa. By producing the long-acting form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), South Africa can potentially expand access to an effective preventive tool.

Licensing and Market Competition

Cipla, an Indian drug company, has confirmed its involvement in the production of CAB-LA. This follows an announcement by ViiV Healthcare, the developer of CAB-LA, and the United Nations-backed Medicine Patent Pool (MPP), which granted licenses to three companies for producing the drug. ViiV Healthcare holds the patent for CAB-LA until 2031 in South Africa, but the licenses granted to generic alternatives ensure healthy market competition and wider availability of the medication.

Addressing Intellectual Property Rights

India and South Africa have been at the forefront of advocating for fair access to essential healthcare resources. In their joint campaign at the World Trade Organization (WTO), they called for the waiver of intellectual property rights on Covid vaccines, medicines, and tests. The recent licensing agreement for CAB-LA production reflects the importance of addressing intellectual property barriers to ensure timely access to life-saving medications during health emergencies.

Mitigating Medicine Shortages

Intellectual property deals, such as the one facilitated by the MPP, play a crucial role in mitigating medicine shortages. The disparity in vaccine distribution during the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the urgency of waiving intellectual property rights. By facilitating the production of affordable generic versions, these agreements can help reduce the impact of medicine shortages, ensuring more equitable access to healthcare resources.

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