Australia: Cervical Cancer Vaccine to Be Funded When Price Is Right -- Prime Minister

Following widespread criticism of the government's decision not to make the vaccine Gardasil available free for all females ages 12-26, Prime Minister John Howard has assured Australians the drug will be added to the national immunization program -- as soon the manufacturer offers a cheaper price.

"Let me make it clear that this drug will end up being on the [Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] list," Howard said today. "But you can't have a situation where you just accept the first request that's made by a company."

Gardasil protects against the types of human papillomavirus that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers. In rejecting the idea of distributing the vaccine for free, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) said such an effort would cost $625 million Australian ($480 million US) over four years and is not cost-effective. Manufacturer CSL countered that the price it offered the government is one of the lowest in the world -- $460 Australian ($353 US) for the required three injections.

PBAC's decision was not well received. Sen. Jeannie Ferris (Liberal) said it was embarrassing for the government to reject the plan to distribute Gardasil, which was developed in Australia. Ferris, who is recovering from ovarian cancer, said she remains optimistic PBAC will eventually endorse Gardasil's distribution. Labor leader Kim Beazley called the rejection absurd; the Australian Divisions of General Practice called it a sad decision for Australian women.

Prof. Ian Frazer, whose work on the vaccine earned him the honor Australian of the Year, praised the prime minister's intervention and said he hopes Howard pushes PBAC to revisit the issue quickly.

Howard said a Gardasil immunization effort could still start up in January 2008 if a pricing agreement can be reached soon.

Back to other news for November 9, 2006