United States drug company Merck hopes to offer the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil to developing countries at much lower prices -- within months, if possible.Currently, the three-dose vaccine is not affordable in the developing world -- where 80 percent of cervical cancer deaths occur and 95 percent of females have never had a Pap test . And while the exact discounted price has not yet been determined, Merck professionals report they are committed to slashing the price of Gardasil for these women.
Merck also aims to help developing countries receive drugs sooner. Right now, there is a time lag of 15 to 20 years between the approval of drugs in the West and the time they reach these countries.
International health experts are pushing for rapid worldwide access to Gardasil, the vaccine that protects women against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes most cases of the disease.
At this time, the vaccine is available in the United States and in 13 European Union countries.
