Advances in Drug and Vaccine Delivery for Low- and Middle-Income Healthcare Programs

The transition toward wide scale use of single-dose administration systems such as prefilled syringes has been primarily in high-income countries due to economic considerations. This has resulted in a disparity of access to such technologies in low- and middle-income countries which continue to utilize multi-dose vial-based presentations and syringes for parenteral delivery. Single-dose innovations currently available or in the product development pipeline represent the promise of enhanced access globally and the potential for public health impact. This review discusses the reported benefits of pre-filled single-dose delivery systems compared to multi-dose vials, as well as the higher standards of infection control regulations and practices that resulted in the increasing use of and benefit from single-dose administration systems in high-income countries. We evaluate how these benefits and standards could enhance health initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. Finally, we explore the potential for making pre-filled single-dose delivery methods both accessible and affordable in low- and middle-income countries.