Second HPV vaccine approved
September 25, 2007 on 9:47 am | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs |
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A second Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (Ceravix®) has been licensed for use in Europe. The Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) is available online and PharmaTimes has reported the launch.
The officially licensed indications are slightly different compared to Gardasil®. The Ceravix vaccine is licensed for use in the prevention of high-grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 2/3) and cervical cancer causally related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.
Gardasil (SPC) is additionally indicated for high-grade vulvar dysplastic lesions (VIN 2/3) and external genital warts causally related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
As previously reported, the Department of Health has announced that it has agreed, in principle to accept Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) advice that Human Papilloma Virus vaccines and it is expected that vaccinations could start in Autumn 2008.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this alternative vaccine and the slightly different licensed indications. Until a national programme is launched, the decision to prescribe should be made on an individual basis after consideration of the clinical benefit to the patient and assessment of the overall cost incurred.
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