Turning the promise of multipurpose prevention technologies into a market reality: a commentary

Abstract

The promise of multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) for the prevention of HIV and unintended pregnancy are on the horizon. While many are still in clinical development, others are closer to becoming a realistic, accessible option for users, like the dual prevention pill (DPP). Researchers, governments, donors, and implementers will have to collaboratively address systemic challenges to successfully introduce and scale-up MPTs. To ensure the rollout of MPTs is successful, the global community should address user and country-specific needs, coordinate with advocates and policymakers, and set a realistic plan for product introduction and scale-up that considers the needs of both family planning (FP) and HIV programs, while laying the groundwork for future new product introduction. To achieve these aims, global and regional stakeholder coordination should emphasize country-led, person-centered decision-making while addressing: (1) procurement and supply chain barriers; (2) the potential burden on health systems; and (3) the impact on current programs.

Another Best Practice: Leveraging User and Stakeholder Perspectives to Improve and Refine Existing Medical Products

“…While the results are specific to DMPA-SC duration-of-effectiveness guidelines and programming, the research approach of these studies is widely applicable to medical product research advances—from more simplified dosing regimens, as with the human papillomavirus vaccine, 17 to combining existing individual products into multipurpose prevention technologies. 18 The global health field has increasingly incorporated human-centered design and stakeholder perspectives into research and development. It is imperative that such approaches are also incorporated into the refinement of existing products.…”