Last year, Health Canada approved Apretude, a long-acting, injectable HIV-prevention drug. When taken correctly, the medication is highly effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection. Advocates say the drug has the potential to significantly improve HIV-prevention efforts across the country. 
 

Apretude’s long-lasting nature may be a factor in what makes it so effective. Previously, those with a PrEP prescription needed to take their medication daily. Many people struggle to take a daily pill, or refill their prescriptions in a timely manner, and missed doses can lead to lower protection. Injectable PrEP is administered as two monthly shots to start, and after that, one shot every two months, making it much easier to manage.
 

This spring, Quebec became the first province to cover part of the cost of this crucial drug. Apretude is also covered for First Nations and Inuit people under the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. 
 

Script teamed up with experts at the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) to bring you all the information you need to know about this new HIV-prevention drug. Watch the video below to learn more about what injectable PrEP is, how it works and whether the medication might be right for you.