The formulation of a microsphere based fixed dose combination for oral antiretroviral delivery

Abstract

The cost of providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a significant economic burden on African countries due to poverty and a lack of resources. To reduce the economic burden of HIV infection, a formulation scientist must use the limited resources available in Africa to develop drug dosage forms of antiretrovirals (ARVs) that are cost-effective, adaptable, and accessible, as well as result in successful therapeutic outcomes of HIV/AIDS treatment, raise the average life expectancies of HIV-positive adults, and increase the availability of the limited resources for other purposes. According to the literature, lamivudine (3TC) is still used in firstline HIV treatment regimens, and several 3TC-based fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) are on the market. These FDCs are typically relatively large and require patients to take medication daily. As a result, patients will accept a flexible dosage form that can be ingested once and provides adequate therapeutic efficacy for more than 24 hours, thereby increasing treatment adherence, decreasing drug resistance, and improving therapeutic efficacy. Formulation scientists must create dosage forms that provide better patient treatment and patient experience, focusing on patientcentred medicine development. Hence, this study focused on 3TC and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), which are still among the cornerstones of many HIV treatment regimens.