[22] LONG-ACTING THERAPIES TRANSFORMING APPROACHES TO CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
How to Cite the Article: Misha Patel & Adnan Shaikh (2026). Long-Acting Therapies Transforming Approaches to Chronic Disease Management: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(7),309-327. https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i7.2026.309-327
Abstract
Chronic diseases remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, with medication non-adherence representing a major barrier to achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. Long-acting therapeutic systems have emerged as a transformative strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional daily dosing by providing sustained drug release over extended periods. This review comprehensively examines the evolution, pharmacological principles, formulation technologies, clinical applications, and future prospects of long-acting drug delivery systems. It highlights the mechanisms underlying prolonged drug release through depot injections, biodegradable implants, polymeric microspheres, nanosuspensions, and stimuli-responsive biomaterials, emphasizing their ability to maintain stable therapeutic drug concentrations, reduce dosing frequency, and improve patient adherence. The review further explores the expanding clinical utility of long-acting therapies across infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, neuropsychiatric illnesses, and immunological conditions, where sustained drug exposure has demonstrated improvements in treatment persistence and disease control. Emerging innovations, including artificial intelligence-assisted formulation design, smart biomaterials, 3D-printed implants, and programmable gene- and cell-based delivery platforms, are discussed as promising technologies that may redefine precision medicine. Despite these advances, important challenges remain, including manufacturing complexity, regulatory considerations, healthcare infrastructure requirements, reimbursement models, and equitable global access. By integrating current evidence from pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacokinetics, and clinical research, this review highlights the transformative potential of long-acting therapeutic platforms to improve adherence, optimize clinical outcomes, and reshape chronic disease management while identifying key priorities for future research and clinical implementation.
