Quebec has taken a groundbreaking step in HIV prevention by becoming the first Canadian province to provide public reimbursement for APRETUDE through the Régie de L'assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ). This landmark decision makes the long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication accessible to at-risk individuals who are HIV-1 negative.
Breakthrough in HIV Prevention Technology
APRETUDE represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention as the first and only long-acting injectable PrEP approved in Canada. The medication is approved for at-risk adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older weighing at least 35kg. Clinical evidence strongly supports its efficacy, with real-world studies showing more than 99% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection across nearly 1,300 individuals.
The drug has demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the traditional daily oral emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF tablets) in reducing HIV acquisition risk. This advancement offers Canadians a more convenient alternative to daily oral medication.
Addressing Rising HIV Rates
The timing of this coverage decision is crucial, as Canada faces increasing HIV infection rates. Quebec specifically has seen a 37% increase in HIV cases between 2019 and 2022. Nationally, 2023 recorded 2,434 new HIV diagnoses, marking a 35% increase from the previous year.
"We applaud the Quebec government for prioritizing access to new HIV prevention tools like APRETUDE," states Tharani Napper, Government Affairs & Market Access Director at ViiV Healthcare Canada. "This is an important step in our collective effort to strengthen HIV prevention in Canada."
Community Impact and Access
Alexandre Dumont Blais, Executive Director of RÉZO, emphasizes the significance of this development: "Access to PrEP remains an issue in Quebec and Canada. We believe that the more options available for PrEP, and the more financially accessible it is, the more we can increase its use and reduce new cases of HIV."
Technical Innovation
APRETUDE functions as an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI), working by preventing viral DNA from integrating into the genetic material of human immune cells. This mechanism is crucial for blocking HIV replication and preventing chronic infection establishment.
The medication is developed by ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company majority owned by GlaxoSmithKline plc, with Pfizer Inc. and Shionogi as shareholders. The company continues to work towards expanding access to APRETUDE across other Canadian provinces and territories to ensure equitable access to HIV prevention tools nationwide.
