For the first time in Ukraine, a new method of HIV prevention has been introduced — the long-acting injectable drug Cabotegravir (CAB-LA). The first patient received the initial injection in Kyiv in August, and by early September, over 40 patients had joined the program.
This drug, recommended by the WHO, provides reliable protection against HIV infection. The CAB-LA regimen involves administering two initial doses four weeks apart, followed by maintenance therapy with injections every eight weeks.
“As the first person in Ukraine to receive a long-acting PrEP injection, I feel a great sense of responsibility. As a journalist and researcher, I’m excited about this opportunity. For me, as for many others, taking daily pills was a real challenge — it was easy to forget them. So, the possibility of receiving an injection every two months is a real breakthrough. I plan to share my experience in detail on my blog to help others make informed choices,” said Leonid Polishchuk, a Ukrainian journalist and blogger.
The further rollout of CAB-LA will take place in two cities in Ukraine: Kyiv (Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 5) and Lviv (Lviv Regional Phthisiopulmonology Clinical Diagnostic Center) as part of a pilot implementation through international cooperation under the PEPFAR program and the manufacturer ViiV Healthcare. This was organized by the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in partnership with the PEPFAR Coordination Office, CDC, USAID, WHO, the International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health,” and the NGO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL.”
Dr. Sergii Filippovych, Director of the Regional SoS_Project 2.0 at the Alliance for Public Health, commented:
“The war has changed the lives of every Ukrainian. But the war in Ukraine does not hinder innovation. With the arrival of this new long-acting HIV prevention drug, we are making another step towards ensuring that every Ukrainian can live a full life and feel protected and secure. A drug that provides protection for two months is a real breakthrough! We are proud to support the implementation of this innovation at every stage.”
Through the PEPFAR program, 1,350 vials of CAB-LA, which equates to nearly 200 annual treatment courses, have been centrally procured and transferred to the Public Health Center to support the project.
“The introduction of CAB-LA therapy is a crucial step in advancing the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) system in Ukraine. This achievement was made possible thanks to close collaboration between the PEPFAR program, Ukrainian authorities, and public organizations. This partnership will continue to save lives. In the context of war and constant population displacement, CAB-LA, as a highly effective and innovative drug, will be a convenient alternative, providing reliable protection for those in need,” said Ramin Bahrambegi, PEPFAR Program Director in Ukraine and Public Health Advisor at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Health Security and Diplomacy.
Having CAB-LA alongside oral PrEP forms (TDF/FTC) allows for a choice between regular oral medication and long-acting injectable options.
“At present, humanity is still working toward creating an HIV vaccine. But we have a reliable prevention tool — PrEP. The injectable CAB-LA, along with oral forms, will expand access to prevention, especially among key groups,” said Larisa Hetman, Head of the HIV Management and Control Department at the Public Health Center.
Like oral PrEP, Cabotegravir is provided free of charge under the national PrEP program to supply antiretroviral drugs to people at high risk of contracting HIV through sexual transmission.
IMPORTANT! PrEP does not replace the use of condoms but complements barrier contraception as an additional layer of protection.
Official websites on PrEP in Ukraine:
https://prep.phc.org.ua
https://long.prep.com.ua
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_DWIS_NvGD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
