Eh, What's Up Doc? New Jab Could Banish HIV Blues!

Of Course There's Always a Fly in the Ointment

What's up Doc? This bunny's got news! The FDA in its infinite wisdom just gave the thumbs up to this newfangled HIV prevention injection Yeztugo from Gilead. Twice a year you get a jab and bam! Less chance of catchin' the bug. Sounds like a hare raising solution right? But hold your horses – there's always a fly in the ointment. Like Yosemite Sam sayin' "I'm gonna blast you to smithereens!" if you take his gold the Trump administration's proposed cuts to HIV prevention funding are looming over this like a dark cloud over my carrot patch!

Leap Before You Look Said the WHO

This Yeztugo or lenacapavir if you're feeling fancy proved in trials that it can practically eliminate new HIV infections. We're talkin' about a big deal folks! The World Health Organization says there were around 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 deaths globally in 2023. That’s no laughing matter! Even in the U.S. we're seeing 700 new cases and 100 deaths a week. This injection could be a game changer helpin' those most affected – people of color gay and bisexual men and transgender women. As I always say "This calls for a celebration!"

Pricey Like a Carrot Made of Gold!

Here's where things get a bit sticky like quicksand. This miracle injection Yeztugo ain't cheap. We're talkin' about $28,218 a year! Now now don't get your ears in a twist! Gilead says they're working to make it accessible with insurance coverage and programs for those who can't afford it. They even mentioned a copay savings program that could bring the cost down to zero for some. “Ain’t I a stinker?” Well hopefully this situation won’t be. But as PrEP4All points out getting it to the folks who need it most is the real challenge.

Pills vs. Injections: The Great Debate!

For a decade we've had PrEP pills but infections haven't exactly vanished like magic. Why? Well some folks find it hard to take a pill every day. Stigma inconvenience and other issues get in the way. This twice a year injection offers more privacy and convenience. One study showed it was 96% effective in preventing HIV proving 89% better than Gilead’s daily pill Truvada. In a trial with cisgender women the injection showed 100% efficacy. That’s terrific!

The Feds and Their Funny Money

Now let's talk about Uncle Sam. Medicaid plays a crucial role in providing coverage to lower income communities. However proposed funding cuts to Medicaid are a major threat. Some folks like PrEP4All say that these cuts could destabilize the entire field of HIV prevention. Congress needs to step up and make sure these programs get the funding they need! Otherwise we might see infections rising again! I would hate to say “What a maroon!”.

Giddy Up This Could Work

So there you have it Doc! Yeztugo is here ready to take on HIV. It has the potential to bend the arc of the epidemic but as always challenges lie ahead. This is a real breakthrough if the medicine becomes widely available and the proposed cuts to HIV prevention programs do not occur. It's a wild ride but with a bit of luck and a whole lot of carrots we might just outsmart this thing. Eh what's up next?