SECUNDA - South Africa has sealed a deal with Gilead Sciences Incorporated to start producing the Lenacapavir HIV prevention drug locally.
The American biopharmaceutical company developed and manufactured the drug.
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the national rollout of the groundbreaking medicine in Secunda, Mpumalanga, on Friday.
The breakthrough long-acting drug can see a reduction in mother-to-child transmissions of HIV.
READ: Lenacapavir a potential breakthrough for mothers
Meanwhile, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the country is expected to become the world's biggest user of Lenacapavir.
The jab is aimed as a preventative measure for HIV negative people and requires only two doses a year.
About eight million people in South Africa are living with the virus.