Gardasil is a vaccine made by Merck and it's currently indicated for girls and women to prevent cervical cancer that's often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Will Gardasil get an indication for boys and men? After all, those same viruses (HPV) cause warts in guys. Guys are just as guilty for spreading HPV, so why not vaccinate them as well? Would it be possible to eradicate HPV? That would be quite a public health accomplishment. What if HPV suffers a similar fate as smallpox? (well, terrorists are trying to bring smallpox back, but I doubt that any terrorist will have much interest in HPV).
Sales for Gardasil have been declining, ie, less profit for Merck. They also face potential competition from the Glaxo vaccine which may soon be approved. So no wonder they are pushing to vaccinate guys.
ReplyDeleteThe vaccine is exorbitantly expensive, and quite frankly, there are a lot more pressing health issues than trying to eradicate HPV. Cervical cancer is not a major health concern in industrialized nations, while it is in developing nations. Yet, the vaccine is too expensive to be distributed where it is most needed.