Doctors outraged by decision not to fund cervical cancer vaccine
Doctors say it is a tragedy that the Government is not funding the new cervical cancer vaccine – arguably the most effective vaccine developed in recent years – in this year’s Budget.
Last week the New England Journal of Medicine (eds: 10 May 2007) published results from two major clinical studies of more than 15000 women aged 16 to 24 that showed that Gardasil gave complete protection against the four strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) that account for 70 per cent of advanced cervical pre-cancers and cervical cancers and 90 per cent of genital warts, as well as protection against some of the strains of HPV that cause vaginal and vulval pre-cancers and cancers.
Health Minister Peter Hodgson’s office said last week that the Government would not be funding Gardasil, a vaccine that was fast-tracked for use in New Zealand by Medsafe last year because it was so effective, in this year’s Budget. About 180 New Zealand women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and around 60 die from the disease.
Professor Ron Jones, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National Women’s Health in Auckland, says he and his colleagues are extremely disappointed in the Government’s decision.
``New Zealand has had significant problems in the diagnosis and management of cervical pre-cancers in the past – think of the Gisborne and National Women’s enquiries - and as a result today the government is putting a lot of resources into correct diagnosis and screening. This vaccine presents the opportunity to invest in cervical cancer prevention but it is choosing not to do that.
``It’s a real tragedy, particularly for Maori and Pacific Island women who are under-represented in the screening programme and consequently have disproportionately high rates of the disease.’’
Dr Jones chairs the New Zealand HPV Project, a consortium of health professionals who disseminate information and support to doctors and their patients about genital HPV.
This week the HPV Project is distributing updated guidelines to doctors that focus on the two new HPV vaccines. Gardasil is currently available on a doctor’s prescription at a cost of $450 for three doses that offer protection for five years. The second vaccine, Cervarix, is expected to be licensed for use in New Zealand some time this year.
Late last year the Australian Government agreed to fund Gardasil for females aged 12 to 26.
``By targeting girls before they become sexually active, the rates of HPV infection, and consequently cervical cancer, can be dramatically reduced,’’ says Dr Jones.
However, he says the implications of Gardasil not being publicly funded are enormous.
``The immunisation schedule is only reviewed every two years, so it now appears a publicly funded cervical cancer vaccine would not be available until June 2010 at the earliest. This means that over the next three years as many as 150,000 schoolgirls will have moved off a potential vaccination programme and into the high risk age group for exposure to HPV.
``Of course, we are pleased that the Government has said it will fund Prevenar to reduce pneumococcal meningitis in young children, but it appears that once again women’s health is being marginalised due to budget constraints,’’ says Dr Jones.
The New Zealand HPV Project offers a toll free helpline 0508 11 12 13 to both the public and health professionals who want advice on genital HPV management. Information is also available on their website www.hpv.org.nz
Last week the New England Journal of Medicine (eds: 10 May 2007) published results from two major clinical studies of more than 15000 women aged 16 to 24 that showed that Gardasil gave complete protection against the four strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) that account for 70 per cent of advanced cervical pre-cancers and cervical cancers and 90 per cent of genital warts, as well as protection against some of the strains of HPV that cause vaginal and vulval pre-cancers and cancers.
Health Minister Peter Hodgson’s office said last week that the Government would not be funding Gardasil, a vaccine that was fast-tracked for use in New Zealand by Medsafe last year because it was so effective, in this year’s Budget. About 180 New Zealand women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and around 60 die from the disease.
Professor Ron Jones, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National Women’s Health in Auckland, says he and his colleagues are extremely disappointed in the Government’s decision.
``New Zealand has had significant problems in the diagnosis and management of cervical pre-cancers in the past – think of the Gisborne and National Women’s enquiries - and as a result today the government is putting a lot of resources into correct diagnosis and screening. This vaccine presents the opportunity to invest in cervical cancer prevention but it is choosing not to do that.
``It’s a real tragedy, particularly for Maori and Pacific Island women who are under-represented in the screening programme and consequently have disproportionately high rates of the disease.’’
Dr Jones chairs the New Zealand HPV Project, a consortium of health professionals who disseminate information and support to doctors and their patients about genital HPV.
This week the HPV Project is distributing updated guidelines to doctors that focus on the two new HPV vaccines. Gardasil is currently available on a doctor’s prescription at a cost of $450 for three doses that offer protection for five years. The second vaccine, Cervarix, is expected to be licensed for use in New Zealand some time this year.
Late last year the Australian Government agreed to fund Gardasil for females aged 12 to 26.
``By targeting girls before they become sexually active, the rates of HPV infection, and consequently cervical cancer, can be dramatically reduced,’’ says Dr Jones.
However, he says the implications of Gardasil not being publicly funded are enormous.
``The immunisation schedule is only reviewed every two years, so it now appears a publicly funded cervical cancer vaccine would not be available until June 2010 at the earliest. This means that over the next three years as many as 150,000 schoolgirls will have moved off a potential vaccination programme and into the high risk age group for exposure to HPV.
``Of course, we are pleased that the Government has said it will fund Prevenar to reduce pneumococcal meningitis in young children, but it appears that once again women’s health is being marginalised due to budget constraints,’’ says Dr Jones.
The New Zealand HPV Project offers a toll free helpline 0508 11 12 13 to both the public and health professionals who want advice on genital HPV management. Information is also available on their website www.hpv.org.nz