Long-acting injectable PrEP approved for use on NHS in England and Wales

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the first long-acting injectable form of HIV prevention for use on the NHS in England and Wales. The treatment, administered every two months, offers a vital alternative to daily oral PrEP tablets, which some individuals are unable to take due to medical or personal barriers.

Long-acting injectable PrEP is designed for HIV-negative people at high risk of acquiring HIV. It works by blocking the integrase enzyme that HIV needs to replicate, thereby preventing the virus from establishing infection in the body.

The rollout is expected to begin within three months of NICE’s final guidance, with up to 1,000 people in England set to benefit annually. The injection will be available through specialist sexual health clinics across the country. 

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of HIV/sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Injectable PrEP will be transformative for our HIV response. It's highly effective and acceptable for patients, and a vital tool for tackling inequalities - with the potential to reach those who are not currently accessing other HIV prevention.

"The system must now roll it out quickly and ensure everyone understands the HIV prevention options available to them. That's why the new HIV Action Plan for England must include action to ensure everyone can access PrEP in a way that works for them. That includes rolling out injectable PrEP and exploring the delivery of PrEP in settings outside of sexual health services."

The approval follows mounting evidence of its efficacy and tolerability, with studies showing it to be nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV when used correctly. Its introduction is expected to help address inequalities in PrEP access, particularly among groups underrepresented in current uptake, such as Black African communities and women. 

Dr Michael Brady, National Advisor for LGBT+ Health at NHS England, added “This long-acting injection is a significant addition to our HIV prevention strategies - giving us a powerful new option for people at risk of HIV who cannot have oral PrEP tablets.”