On Maternal Health Awareness Day (Thursday 23 January 2025), the University of Liverpool hosts its first meeting to bring together a range of global stakeholders dedicated to advancing the use of long-acting medicines for maternal and paediatric health.
Long-acting medicines are administered once a month or less frequently and remain as effective as those administered daily. Together their collective aim is to address significant gaps in the development and use of long-acting medicines of value for women of child-bearing age and children, in low- and middle-income countries.
Dr Adeniyi Olagunju, a member of the Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT) and who convened the group said: "Significant gaps currently exist in the development of long-acting medicines for women of child-bearing age and children, compared with the general adult population. For instance, there is currently no guidance on possible changes in drug exposure due to the physiological changes associated with pregnancy. The extent of breastfed infant exposure through breastmilk is also largely unknown. Additionally, there is very limited understanding of how to tailor these medicines for use in children who are rapidly growing."
Rachel Daley, who works with Dr Olagunju in CELT and coordinates the activities of the group said: "We've got some important work to do to move the field forward. Outputs from activities to be led by this diverse group are expected to be of great value to the community. We're delighted to host this first session, and we look forward to working collaboratively to address these urgent issues."
The group includes researchers, clinical practitioners, the pharmaceutical industry, regulators, women and patient groups. The group's represented countries include; UK, USA, South Africa, Brazil, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Jordan, Denmark, and The Netherlands. Over time the group aims to create resources in the form of best practice documents, white papers, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations all of which will be openly accessible on CELT website www.liverpool.ac.uk/celt.
The community of practice, funded by global health agency Unitaid. Unitaid make new health products available and affordable for people in low- and middle-income countries.
