Spain has become the first country in Europe to publicly fund a long-acting injectable treatment to prevent HIV.
The move is a major shift in the fight against the virus that experts say could dramatically cut new infections.
The drug, marketed as Apretude and developed by ViiV Healthcare, is administered once every two months and is now available through the public health system for people at risk of contracting HIV.
It is being hailed as a breakthrough alternative to the daily pill currently used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), particularly for those who struggle to stick to a strict medication routine.
Doctors say the impact could be significant. Spain currently has around 150,000 people living with HIV, with roughly 3,000 new diagnoses each year – more than half of them detected late.
The new injectable option could help change that.
Clinical data presented by specialists show the treatment reduces the risk of infection by up to 88% compared to conventional oral prevention. In real-world use, effectiveness has been reported at over 99%.
One of the key advantages is adherence. While the daily pill requires consistent use to be effective, the injection – administered by healthcare professionals – removes the risk of missed doses.
In trials, adherence rates exceeded 90%, with most participants preferring the injectable format when given the choice.
The treatment is aimed at sexually active adults and adolescents at higher risk of HIV infection and is delivered via intramuscular injection in hospital settings.
Experts stress it is not a standalone solution. The jab is designed to complement – not replace – safer sex practices such as condom use.
Health officials also point to the economic benefits. Estimates suggest the rollout could save Spain’s healthcare system around €46 million over the next three years by preventing new infections and reducing long-term treatment costs.
The move aligns with global targets set by UNAIDS to end new HIV infections by 2030 – a goal that will depend heavily on expanding access to effective prevention tools.
