UK Recommends GSK’s Long-Acting HIV Prevention Shot for NHS Use

The UK’s health watchdog, NICE, has approved ViiV Healthcare’s HIV prevention injection, Apretude, paving the way for its rollout on the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales.

Apretude, developed by GSK’s ViiV Healthcare unit, is designed for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) — a treatment that prevents HIV infection in people at high risk. Unlike daily pills, Apretude is an injectable medicine given once every two months, offering a more convenient option for those who prefer fewer doses.

Following NICE’s decision, the injection could become available within two months in Wales and within three months in England, provided there are no appeals. The approval marks a major step in expanding access to effective HIV prevention options across the UK.

Apretude has already received regulatory approvals in the United States and Europe and recorded about £279 million in global sales last year. The treatment now joins a competitive PrEP market that includes oral drugs such as Truvada and Descovy, as well as Yeztugo, another long-acting injectable taken every six months.

GSK plans to develop an extended-release version of Apretude that could be administered once every four months or longer, further improving convenience for patients and healthcare providers.

With NICE’s recommendation, the UK moves closer to its goal of reducing new HIV infections and ensuring broader access to innovative prevention therapies.