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News Capsule - National
MSD's Gardasil vaccine obtains WHO prequalification
Our News Bureau - Mumbai
Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) announced that World Health Organization has
awarded prequalification of Gardasil, a vaccine means to work against human
papillomavirus quadrivalent which causes cervical cancer.
Gardasil will now be eligible for procurement by the United Nations Children's
Fund (UNICEF) and other United Nations (UN) agencies including the Pan American
Health Organization (PAHO), for use in national immunisation programmes.
"We recognise the significant impact cervical cancer has on women and families,
especially in the developing world, which is why MSD is committed to improving
access to innovative vaccines like Gardasil," said Margaret G McGlynn,
President, MSD Vaccines and Infectious Diseases. "WHO pre-qualification
is an important step in helping to ensure greater global access to Gardasil
and to help protect against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases caused
by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 in more countries throughout the world."
"Cervical cancer is a significant burden in developing countries. WHO pre-qualification
of an HPV vaccine signifies a move to help protect young women and improve access
to better health care, particularly in the poorest countries," comments
Graça Machel, Founder and President of the Foundation for Community Development
(FDC), Mozambique and a passionate advocate for women's health.
Gardasil is currently indicated for use in girls and young women nine through
26 years of age for the prevention of cervical cancers, vulvar and vaginal pre-cancers
caused by HPV types 16 and 18; genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11; and
precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70 percent of cervical
cancer cases, and HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for approximately 90 percent
of genital warts and about 10 percent of low-grade cervical changes/lesions/dysplasias.
It is contraindicated in individuals with hypersensitivity, including severe
allergic reactions to yeast, or after a previous dose of Gardasil. n
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