France Leads the Way with Injectable PrEP: A New Era in HIV Prevention
Sidaction is mobilizing and calling for donations from March 27th to 29th to continue supporting research and the fight against AIDS. A significant new tool has emerged in this effort: injectable PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis.
“Throughout the world, funding dedicated to international solidarity is declining sharply. Research, prevention, and access to care for people living with HIV are being jeopardized,” warns Sidaction, coinciding with the traditional mobilization days. These days call for donations amidst a challenging political climate, notably marked by the disengagement of the United States.
The Rise of PrEP and the Ongoing Need for Prevention
In France, over 5,000 people discover they are HIV-positive each year. Against this backdrop, injectable PrEP arrives as a novel prevention method. PrEP involves taking an antiretroviral drug to prevent HIV infection during risky sexual encounters.
Previously, PrEP was only available in oral form (Truvada), taken daily or “on-demand” – two pills before sex (up to 24 hours in advance, at least 2 hours before) and one pill the day after, and another two days later.
Injectable PrEP (Apretude, by ViiV Healthcare, a GSK subsidiary) simplifies this: one injection every two months, totaling six per year. A prescription from any doctor is required. Pharmacies typically need to order the medication, and injections can be administered by a nurse or at CeGIDD centers.
Youth Remain Poorly Informed
A survey conducted by OpinionWay among 1516 young people aged 15 to 24, coinciding with Sidaction, reveals that “many of them continue not to protect themselves sufficiently or neglect regular screening, while false beliefs about HIV remain widespread and fuel persistent serophobia.”
62% of young people surveyed “did not consistently use a condom” in their sexual relationships in the past year.
False beliefs persist: 77% believe HIV can be transmitted during unprotected sex with a HIV-positive person on treatment, 39% believe HIV can be transmitted through a kiss, and 33% believe sitting on public toilets is a source of HIV transmission. Over half (56%) would feel ashamed if they were HIV-positive.
France: First to Fully Cover Injectable PrEP
“France is the first country in the European Union to fully cover injectable PrEP,” the government assures, noting its history: approval by the European Medicines Agency in September 2023; a favorable opinion from the High Authority for Health for reimbursement in May 2024; availability since February 2026; and reimbursement by the Health Insurance since March 2nd.
The injectable treatment uses cabotegravir. The choice was made “100% for financial reasons,” explains Jordan Lejeune, an infectious disease specialist at the CHU of Montpellier. “Cabotegravir costs Sécu less than 650 euros per month. For lenacapavir, it costs 24,000 euros for six months.” Lenacapavir will soon be available in the world’s poorest countries, costing 40 euros per year through mediation by the World Health Organization.
Who Benefits from Injectable PrEP?
“Injectable PrEP is a second-line treatment, an alternative to oral PrEP,” says Dr. Lejeune. It’s suitable for those with kidney problems, those who cannot tolerate oral PrEP, those with adherence difficulties, and those seeking greater discretion.
The Ministry of Health similarly targets “women, who represent only 6% of people on PrEP in France.” Those who find daily pills burdensome are likely to be the first to switch to the injectable form. Currently, 40,000 to 50,000 people in France are on PrEP. ViiV Healthcare anticipates 20,000 users of injectable PrEP.
A True Advancement?
Is the simpler injectable PrEP more effective? The French Society for the Fight against AIDS considers it a real progress, a “game changer” in the fight against AIDS, potentially allowing us to envision the complete of the epidemic.
This new tool offers considerable hope. While not a miracle cure, there is a low risk of infection from mutated and resistant HIV strains (currently not circulating in France). It is also not a vaccine – it is a medication. It represents a “revolution” in HIV prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is PrEP? PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It’s a treatment using medication to prevent HIV infection during risky sexual encounters.
- How is injectable PrEP administered? It involves one injection every two months, for a total of six injections per year.
- Is injectable PrEP available to everyone? It’s a second-line treatment, best suited for those who cannot tolerate oral PrEP or have difficulty adhering to a daily pill regimen.
- Is PrEP covered by insurance in France? Yes, France is the first country in the EU to fully cover injectable PrEP.
Pro Tip: Discuss PrEP options with your doctor to determine the best approach for your individual needs and risk factors.
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