Overview
- An order published in the Journal officiel on February 26 authorizes cabotegravir (Apretude) for sale in France and classifies it for full health insurance reimbursement as “irreplaceable and particularly costly.”
- Apretude is administered by injection every two months, offering an alternative for people who struggle to adhere to daily oral PrEP.
- The Haute Autorité de Santé validated the drug’s interest in 2024 but rated its medical benefit as moderate and does not recommend it for women of childbearing potential due to a potential fetal malformation risk.
- Commercial rollout followed protracted price talks with ViiV Healthcare; the company’s list price exceeds €1,000 per dose, while the reimbursed amount remains confidential.
- Advocacy group Aides welcomed the approval as a major step but warned patients may face out-of-pocket costs for a required HIV viral load test that is not covered at 100%.