Fact Check: Lenacapavir could cost just $25 per patient annually!

Fact Check: "Lenacapavir could cost just $25 per patient annually!"

What We Know

Lenacapavir is a new drug that has been heralded as a significant advancement in HIV prevention, particularly due to its efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials. The drug is administered via a twice-yearly injection, which is a departure from the daily oral pills currently used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) like Truvada. According to a report by NPR, lenacapavir's cost as an HIV treatment in the United States was approximately $42,250 per patient per year as of 2023 (source-1).

While some sources have suggested that lenacapavir could be produced at a significantly lower cost if mass-produced, estimates indicate that it could be manufactured for around $35 to $46 annually, potentially dropping to $25 with sufficient scale (source-4). However, these figures refer to manufacturing costs rather than the actual price patients would pay.

Analysis

The claim that lenacapavir could cost just $25 per patient annually is misleading. While it is true that research indicates the drug could be produced at this cost under certain conditions, this does not reflect the current market price or the price that patients would realistically pay. The current price set by Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer, is substantially higher at approximately $42,250 per year (source-3).

Moreover, the assertion that lenacapavir could be available for $25 is based on projections of mass production and does not account for the complexities of drug pricing, market dynamics, and the potential for generic competition. The actual cost to consumers will depend on various factors, including regulatory approvals, insurance coverage, and market competition, which are not guaranteed to align with the lower manufacturing costs suggested in some analyses (source-6).

The sources discussing the potential for lower manufacturing costs, such as the one from The Guardian, are speculative and do not represent the current pricing landscape. They do not provide a definitive pathway to achieving such low costs in practice, especially in regions where access to medications is already a significant issue (source-4).

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that lenacapavir could cost just $25 per patient annually is misleading. While there are projections for lower manufacturing costs, the actual price set by the manufacturer is significantly higher, and there are no guarantees that patients will be able to access the drug at the lower price mentioned. The current market price is approximately $42,250 per year, which starkly contrasts with the $25 claim.

Sources

1. Anti-HIV drug lenacapavir called 'breakthrough of the year' - NPR
2. A new way to prevent HIV delivers dramatic results in trial - NPR
3. Gilead Agrees to Allow Generic Version of Groundbreaking ... - New York Times
4. 'HIV-ending' drug could be made for just $25 per patient a ... - The Guardian
5. This preventive drug could be a 'game changer' in ending the HIV epidemic - LPM
6. Break Gilead's Lenacapavir Monopoly - MSF Access
7. Ending HIV: Balancing Innovation and Affordability With ... - Think Global Health
8. Why Lenacapavir is Important … and Expensive - Managed Healthcare Executive