Long-acting injectable PrEP (Apretude) is now approved in Canada and offers an effective alternative to taking daily pills to prevent HIV. This long-acting option consists of one injection every two months, and like daily oral PrEP, is 99% effective at preventing HIV. Since 2025, Apretude has been listed as an open benefit under the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, which Status First Nations and Inuit people across Canada can access. In BC, the responsibility for these benefits is held by First Nations Health Authority. First Nations Health Authority has an arrangement that access to all antiretrovirals, including Apretude, is managed through the BC-CfE.
For Status First Nations people, an exceptional appeal process may provide access to Apretude at no cost. Accessing Apretude via private insurance may also be an option for some Indigenous folks with or without NIHB.
We recommend reaching out to the The HIV Prevention Case Management team at Ribbon Community (My Sex Support), who are available to work one on one with people who do not have HIV to explore this aforementioned appeal process, options to access oral PrEP, as well as other harm reduction and sexual health choices.
