CDC Strongly Recommends New Long-Acting PrEP Drug

64 HIV Groups Urge CVS to Reconsider Decision Not to Cover

Washington DC… Today, the CDC issued a strong clinical recommendation for the use of Yeztugo, the recently FDA-approved twice-yearly HIV prevention drug.  Following a careful review of the evidence, the CDC PrEP Guidelines Work Group added the drug to its Clinical Guidance for PrEP, which also include Apretude, Descovy, and Truvada.  In reaction to the recommendation, which was issued in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Carl Schmid, Executive Director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, issued the following statement:

“We commend the CDC for issuing this recommendation of such a groundbreaking new PrEP option only three months after its approval. The entire world is excited about this PrEP drug that for the first time resulted in zero infections in clinical trials, and was hailed by Science magazine as the 2024 Breakthrough of the Year. Now we must make sure that everyone who wants it is able to access it. This includes people with health insurance who should be able to access it without cost or other barriers in accordance with federal and state coverage requirements.   

“Unfortunately, we are already hearing of payer roadblocks. CVS Health’s pharmacy benefit manager has gone on record that it is not covering the drug, putting this transformative drug out of reach for many who need it. This is why 63 organizations joined us in a HIV community letter sent today to CVS Health President and CEO David Joyner that lays out their obligation to cover it and urges them to reverse this harmful decision immediately. 

“The CDC now estimates that 2.2 million people need PrEP, meaning PrEP is reaching less than a quarter of those who could benefit from it.  In order to expand PrEP access, we not only need payer coverage, but a robust nationwide HIV prevention infrastructure. That infrastructure is now under serious threat by House Republicans who have proposed to eliminate all domestic HIV prevention programs. Fortunately, the U.S. Senate is recommending continued funding. We truly hope that the Senate position will prevail so that all Americans can benefit from the latest scientific advances and we can hasten the end of the HIV epidemic.”

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The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote quality and affordable healthcare for people living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other serious and chronic health conditions.