How to Check If a Pharmacy Has Apretude in Stock (Without Calling)

If you've been calling pharmacies asking about Apretude stock, you've probably gotten blank stares or "we don't carry that." Here's why — and how the Apretude supply chain actually works.

The Key Insight: Apretude Isn't a Pharmacy Drug

Unlike oral PrEP medications (Truvada, Descovy), Apretude is not dispensed at retail pharmacies — CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, or your local independent pharmacy. It's a specialty injectable administered in a clinical setting. Checking pharmacy inventory apps like GoodRx or calling retail chains won't help.

Here's how Apretude actually moves from manufacturer to patient:

ViiV Healthcare manufactures Apretude

It's distributed through specialty pharmacies (like TheraCom, through the ViiVConnect network)

The specialty pharmacy ships Apretude directly to enrolled clinical practices

A healthcare provider administers the injection to you at the clinic

So the question to ask is not "which pharmacy has it" but "which clinic or provider can administer it."

How to Check If Apretude Is Available at a Provider Near You

Use medfinder (medfinder.com). medfinder contacts providers on your behalf to find who can administer Apretude. Enter your medication and location at medfinder.com — no phone calls required. medfinder does the outreach for you.

Other Ways to Find an Apretude Provider

ViiVConnect (ViiVConnect.com or 1-877-844-8872): ViiV Healthcare's patient support program can help locate enrolled practices that administer Apretude.

HRSA Health Center Finder (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov): Federally qualified health centers often offer injectable PrEP. Use this tool to find one near you.

Your state health department: State HIV prevention programs maintain lists of PrEP providers in your area.

Call your current prescriber: Ask directly: "Does your practice administer Apretude injections?" Many practices that prescribe oral PrEP are working toward or have already added injectable PrEP.

What About Specialty Pharmacies That Ship Apretude?

While some specialty pharmacies do handle Apretude distribution, they ship it to the clinical practice — not to your home. Apretude cannot be self-administered. So you'll need both: a specialty pharmacy to supply the drug, AND a provider to administer it.

In the ViiVConnect model, your practice enrolls with ViiVConnect, which connects them with TheraCom for drug supply and handles the specialty pharmacy piece behind the scenes. Patients don't typically interact with the specialty pharmacy directly.

Do Any Apps or Tools Track Apretude Availability?

Retail pharmacy availability checkers (GoodRx, NowRx, etc.) do not track Apretude because it's not a retail pharmacy product. The most effective tool is medfinder, which is specifically designed to help patients locate medications and providers across different supply chain models.

What If No Providers Near You Have It?

If there are truly no providers within reasonable distance offering Apretude, don't go without HIV protection. Ask your current provider about starting oral PrEP as a bridge. See our guide on alternatives to Apretude for the full list of FDA-approved options.