A major cervical cancer vaccination drive saw the light of day in Johannesburg today. Championed by renowned investigative journalist Debora Patta, and supported by leading experts such as gynaecologist, Dr Peter Koll, the initiative was given a major boost by leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, David Pritchard, General Manager of GSK South Africa, pledged the unequivocal support of GSK to the cervical cancer drive. He stated that the company was so committed to this cause that it would with immediate effect reduce the cost of its cancer vaccine, Cervarix®, by 36 percent or a cost of R450 per dose (single exit price) excluding VAT.
“This important initiative is in line with GSK's commitment to fast-track the global accessibility of the cervical cancer vaccine. It is our vision to ensure that South African women across the age spectrum receive every possible protection from this preventable disease. In a developing country such as South Africa affordability is an important issue and with this reduction in cost we will be bringing the cervical cancer vaccine within direct reach of many more South African women. In doing so we hope to work in close partnership with other stakeholders, including Government, to further increase the availability of cervical cancer vaccination through better infrastructure, wider distribution, better disease awareness, education and affordability. We are open to discussing access strategies including pricing with potential partners including Government,” added Pritchard.
Commenting on the vaccination drive and the many barriers to cancer vaccination Debora Patta said: “Like so many other South African1 women and mothers, I never knew that more women develop and die of cervical cancer than any other type of cancer. Given the fact that worldwide a woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes1 the dangers and impact of cervical cancer is shockingly low. To put this into perspective - each year in South Africa alone, approximately 6 700 women will develop cervical cancer while an estimated 3 700 will die from it.1
One in every 261 women in this country face the risk of developing cervical cancer in her lifetime. In my mind that is one too many. Against the background of these facts how can this disease and its active prevention not be top of mind amongst South African women?” asked Patta.
“Without doubt, the development of the vaccine represents a great step forward for women around the world. It is built on Nobel-recognised science and the women who most need it are either totally unaware of its existence or can simply not access it. We live in a time of modern miracles - it is possible to protect ourselves against one of the world's bigger killers, cervical cancer. As women we owe it to ourselves, and our children to ensure that every young girl is made aware that she can do something to assist in the prevention of cervical cancer. To this end education and accessibility must be substantially improved.”
Adding his voice to that of Debora Patta and David Pritchard, respected Sandton based gynaecologist, Dr Peter Koll said that GSK's decision to reduce the cost of the vaccine was a major breakthrough in the fight against cervical cancer. “It is one of the major healthcare discoveries of the early 2000's, and in my opinion is the single biggest advance in medicine in the time that I have been in practice,” said he.
“As a practicing gynaecologist I can tell you of the devastation and pain and even about the unnecessary loss of life that inevitably accompanies a prognosis of cervical cancer. Now we can at last start chipping away at the numbers of patients that are diagnosed with the disease. For that I applaud the cervical cancer vaccination drive and the generosity of spirit displayed by GSK in dropping the price of Cervarix® by 36%.”
According to Dr Koll protection strategies against cervical cancer should include routine screening together with a vaccine designed to provide long-lasting protection against the most common cancer-causing types. “Vaccination should start as young as possible and in the case of young girls should be viewed as the last of the childhood vaccinations. However, vaccination should be discussed with women of all ages as most women would benefit from the vaccine.”
GSK's cervical cancer vaccine is a HPV vaccine indicated for the prevention of precancerous cervical lesions associated with the most common cervical cancer-causing HPV types 16 and 18. GSK's cervical cancer vaccine is formulated with a novel proprietary adjuvant system called AS04, which is designed to enhance the immune response and increase the duration of protection against cancer-causing virus types.
For more information, please contact: Mandy Keegan, GSK: (011) 745 6352
