Long-acting
TECHNOLOGIES

HELPING PATIENTS SUCCEED WITH LONGER-ACTING MEDICINES IN PLACE OF PILLS

Long-acting formulations can administer medicines through patches or injections that are effective for months, freeing people from daily regimens of pills and making it easier for them to succeed in their treatment.

They take pressure off health systems, combating antimicrobial resistance and halting the spread of diseases.

Unitaid is funding work on solutions for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis C in low-income countries.

The first project seeks to develop a long-acting injectable form of ivermectin, a drug that can interrupt malaria transmission, making it easier to administer and adhere to.

A second project will develop long-acting versions of medicines to cure hepatitis C and to prevent malaria and latent TB, with a view to filing for regulatory approval.

Unitaid is also supporting another project to develop long-acting injections to treat HIV. Simplifying antiretroviral treatment could help people stay on medication, which keeps the virus suppressed and prevents its spread.

DAILY PILLS MEANS THAT SOMEBODY LIVING WITH HIV NEED TO TAKE OVER 12,000 PILLS

An adult living with HIV can expect to take more than 12,000 pills over their lifetime in their daily management of the disease.

IMPROVING LIVES BY REDUCING PILL BURDEN WITH LONG-ACTING INJECTIONS

A long-acting injection can reduce the treatment burden from 12,000 daily pills to about 400 once-a-month injections over a lifetime.

Long-acting medicines can provide people with more discreet treatment, helping to reduce stigma.

FREEING PEOPLE FROM DAILY PILLS

Improved long-acting treatment could even reduce this to as few as 4 injections a year.

This will help make it easier for people to start and stay on treatment and reduces the burden on health system.

Long-acting TECHNOLOGIES

HELPING PATIENTS SUCCEED WITH LONGER-ACTING MEDICINES IN PLACE OF PILLS

Long-acting
TECHNOLOGIES