Microarray patches: breaking down the barriers to contraceptive care and HIV prevention for women across the globe

Despite the existence of a variety of contraceptive products for women, as well as decades of research into the prevention and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there is still a globally unmet need for easily accessible, acceptable, and affordable products to protect women’s sexual and reproductive health. Microarray patches (MAPs) are a novel platform being developed for the delivery of hormonal contraception and antiretroviral drugs. MAPs provide enhanced drug delivery to the systemic circulation via the transdermal route when compared to transdermal patches, oral and injectable formulations. These minimally invasive patches can be self-administered by the user, reducing the burden on health care personnel. Since MAPs represent needle-free drug delivery, no sharps waste is generated after application, thereby eliminating possible MAP reuse and risk of needle-stick injuries. This review discusses the administration of contraceptive and antiretroviral drugs using MAPs, their acceptability by end-users, and the future perspective of the field.