Developed countries should take more responsibility in helping women in less
developed countries get proper vaccinations against Human Papillomavirus (HPV),
which causes cervical cancer and many other diseases, world health experts
said Monday.
At the first "Symposium on HPV Vaccination in the Asia-Pacific and Middle
East Regions" held in Seoul Monday, policy makers and health and vaccine
experts from 36 countries agreed that more HPV vaccines should be supplied
to women in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, where 270,000 women a
year are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 140,000 die of it.
Dr. Xavier Bosch, chief of International Affairs at the Catalan Institute of
Oncology in Barcelona, said that the vaccine could make a dramatic change in
the area.
"There are very few types of cancer or severe disease with known causes _
hepatitis B and C, liver cancer and others," he said in his interview with
The Korea Times. "Luckily enough, experts have developed vaccines which
could cut down the cancer prevalence rate by 70 percent," he said.
Vaccine Availability
He said the HPV vaccine is not only effective in preventing cervical cancer,
but also warts on the vulva, vagina, and in the anal and oral cavity.
However, the sad irony is that the women who are most affected by the virus,
are the ones who cannot afford it ― the cost for a Gardasil injection in
Korea ranges between $420 and $520.
Bosch said, "Women in more developed countries pay high prices for the
newest vaccine to benefit from its effects first and make up for the
pharmaceutical companies' investment. But on the other hand, that lets less
developed countries' people benefit from the drug at lower prices."
Experts at the seminar called for steps to make the vaccine available to
more people around the world. The World Health Organization has suggested
that the United Nations permit regional branches to purchase the vaccine and
distribute it.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization is also seeking ways to
provide the drug to Vietnam, Uganda and other countries. "Also, we have
noticed that more companies are ready to negotiate as they are ready to take
responsibility," Bosch.
Bosch said with the vaccine, women and some men ― some doctors allow
off-label vaccination of males ― will be able to live their lives without
worrying about HPV. "I hope one day, HPV will be a very rare disease,
something for which we do not need regular screenings. We have seen such
progress in polio," he said.
Cervical cancer, where tumors are found at the entrance of the uterus, used
to be the No.1 diagnosed gynecological cancer in Korea just a decade ago.
Most transmissions take place during sexual intercourse.
The disease prevalence has decreased in the past 10 years. However,
according to the WHO, about 12 women here are diagnosed with the disease
every day, and three die of it.
Source : The Korea Times
