tenofovir was patented in 1996 and approved for use in the united states in 2001. it is on the world health organization's list of essential medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system. it is available as a generic medication as of 2017. the wholesale cost in the developing world is between us$3.30 and $29.13 per month. as of 2015 the cost for a typical month of medication in the united states is more than $200.