Novel Routes of Drug Administration to Enhance Compliance in Soldiers

WHO estimates that between 300 and 500 million new cases of malaria occur each year and annual deaths from the disease number between 2 and 3 million. Although there are several compounds known to be effective for treating malaria, including quinine, doxycycline, primaquine, azithromycin, and erythromycin, side effects associated with the oral administration of these drugs results in incomplete medication compliance, which has been determined to be the major cause of malaria infections among US armed forces. To avoid the side effects responsible for non-compliance, alternative routes of administration have been investigated, including transdermal delivery. Moreover, as a means to reduce the development of parasitic resistance to antibiotics, researchers have been investigating the use of pulsatile delivery. Advanced Sensor Technologies, Inc. proposes the development of a wearable patch that delivers anti-malarial drugs in a transdermal, pulsatile manner. The Pulse Patch will be comprised of a micro-iontophoresis system, constructed using MEMS and CMOS technologies, and a polymer electrolyte matrix reservoir that contains the drug. This system will deliver precise square wave pulses of antibiotic through the skin to increase the efficacy of treatment, as well as compliance to anti-malarial prophylaxis, by eliminating the side effects that result from oral administration.