Application of design space optimization strategy to the development of LC methods for simultaneous analysis of 18 antiretroviral medicines and 4 major excipients used in various pharmaceutical formulations

[Display omitted] •Selection of antiretroviral medicines currently used in Rwanda.•Application of design of optimization and design space.•Optimization of three methods, generic and dedicated.•Application of the developed analytical method. As one of the world’s most significant public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries, HIV/AIDS deserves to be treated with appropriate medicines, however which are not spared from counterfeiting. For that, we developed screening and specific HPLC methods that can analyze 18 antiretroviral medicines (ARV) and 4 major excipients. Design of experiments and design space methodology were initially applied for 15 ARV and the 4 excipients with prediction thanks to Monte Carlo simulations and focusing on rapidity and affordability thus using short column and low cost organic solvent (methanol) in gradient mode with 10mM buffer solutions of ammonium hydrogen carbonate. Two other specific methods dedicated to ARV in liquid and in solid dosage formulations were also predicted and optimized. We checked the ability of one method for the analysis of a fixed-dose combination composed by emtricitabine/tenofovir/efavirenz in tablet formulations. Satisfying validation results were obtained by applying the total error approach taking into account the accuracy profile as decision tool. Then, the validated method was applied to test two samples coded A and B, and claimed to contain the tested ARV. Assay results were satisfying only for sample B.