Let’s keep it 100—PrEP isn’t a luxury item. It’s public health. It’s HIV prevention. It’s the kind of thing everyone should have access to, no questions asked.
But with the launch of Yeztugo (aka lenacapavir), the shiny new twice-a-year injectable PrEP, we’re staring down a tough question:
Who gets to stay protected—and who gets priced out?
💸 Let’s Talk Numbers (and Not the Fun Kind)
Yeztugo’s U.S. list price? A casual $28,218 a year.
Yep, that’s $14,109 per injection, twice a year.
That’s before you jump through insurance hoops, deal with co-pays, or pray your provider even knows what prior authorization means.
Major outlets like The Washington Post and The Body Pro are sounding the alarm: this isn’t just expensive—it’s a barrier. And when prevention has a price tag this steep, it’s no longer public health—it’s privilege.
🧠 Could It Be Affordable? Absolutely.
Here’s the wild part: according to researchers in The Lancet HIV, generic lenacapavir could cost as little as $35–$46 a year. And with higher demand? That price could drop even lower.
Same protection. Same formula. But minus the six-figure spreadsheets.
Managed Healthcare Executive and UNAIDS agree: the know-how is there. The logistics are clear. What’s stopping us?
Not science—just systems.
🏭 Mass Production = Major Shift
Studies from i‑Base and the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy show that if we go big—like, millions-of-doses big—the cost could fall to $41–$94 a year per person. That’s not a dream. That’s math + momentum.
This is what generics do. They democratize medicine—and this time, they could change the game for PrEP on a global scale.
But it takes pressure. Political will. Public demand. And voices that won’t shut up until access is real for everyone.
🗣️ Bottom Line: Access Is a Right
PrEP isn’t some fancy wellness trend. It’s protection. It’s power. It’s what every person deserves—regardless of income, insurance, or zip code.
So yeah, Yeztugo is a game-changer. But only if we fight to make it fair.
Let’s not accept sticker shock as normal. Let’s challenge it, change it, and call it out.
Because this isn’t just about HIV prevention—it’s about equity, dignity, and showing up for each other.
Say it louder: access to PrEP should be universal. Period.
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