Long-Acting Injectable HIV Prevention Now Available in France: A Game Changer in the Fight Against the Epidemic

After anticipation since 2023, long-acting injectable cabotegravir is now available in France for HIV prevention, three years after receiving authorization from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This preventative treatment offers a latest option for individuals at risk of HIV, eliminating the need for daily medication.

A Major Breakthrough in HIV Prevention

The availability of cabotegravir is hailed as “a major step forward in the fight against HIV” by AIDES, a French association dedicated to combating HIV and viral hepatitis. Unlike existing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options that require daily pill consumption, cabotegravir is administered as an injection every two months.

Bastien Mercier, a health coach at AIDES in Nantes, explains the significant impact this has on individuals: “This reduces the mental burden on people, as they no longer have to remember to take medication at a specific time each day. It also addresses concerns about privacy, as it prevents others from discovering a box of medication. It’s also helpful for travel, as it eliminates the need to carry medication with you.”

Validated by Authorities and Covered by Health Insurance

The potential of cabotegravir was recognized by UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, which stated in 2020 that it “could be a game changer.” The French High Authority for Health (HAS) validated its benefit in 2024. After two years of negotiations with ViiV Healthcare, the cost of the injection, which is a little over €1000, is now fully covered by Health Insurance.

A New Tool for a Real Impact

Scientists and community activists alike emphasize the importance of utilizing this new tool to reduce HIV infections. Alexis, an activist with AIDES in Nantes, states, “This is another step forward in the fight against the epidemic, a formidable new tool whose effectiveness has been widely demonstrated in scientific studies. Now, people must utilize this new tool so that there can be a real impact on the epidemic.”

Alexis also highlights the ongoing challenge of stigma surrounding HIV, noting that “finding love when you are HIV positive is not easy,” and that discrimination can persist in certain professions.

Remaining Considerations

Even as AIDES welcomes the availability of injectable cabotegravir, they also raise concerns about the cost of the required HIV viral load test, which is not fully covered by insurance, creating “a remaining burden for the person.”

Cabotegravir injection is indicated, in combination with rilpivirine injection, for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Cabotegravir long-acting for HIV prevention is administered six times per year, after initiation.