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.