Dolutegravir is a key HIV medicine used by over 22 million people in 110 low- and middle-income countries. But this lifesaving drug is also contributing to climate change.
By 2030, Unitaid estimates dolutegravir-based treatment regimens will contribute 2.7 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This is based on the manufacturing, amount of chemicals used, and energy required to produce these medicines, multiplied by the number of people — 30 million — expected to be receiving this treatment on a daily basis by 2030.
According to Unitaid Director of Results Vincent Bretin, producing 1 kilogram of this treatment’s active pharmaceutical ingredient releases 314 kg of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
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About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.