By Natasha Joseph
HIV-positive women are ten times more likely to contract a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer, says the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC).
The organisation is calling on pharmaceutical companies to dramatically lower the prices of two registered vaccines that protect against these strains, and says a massive vaccination drive must be launched as soon as possible in order to save many women's lives.
One researcher says cervical cancer is "an epidemic" among young HIV-positive women.
According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), cervical cancer is "the leading cancer faced by South African women".
Cansa said on its website that more than 3 400 South African women died each year from cervical cancer.
Continues Below ↓
HPV is described by Cansa as "the underlying cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer".
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and is carried by both men and women.
The TAC said: "Two of the most prevalent strains, strains 16 and 18, are harmful and account for approximately 70 person of the global cervical cancer caseload."
In February, two vaccines produced by two different pharmaceutical companies were registered in South Africa. The TAC said these vaccines protected against strains 16 and 18 of HPV.
However, TAC researcher Nosisa Mhlathi said during a media briefing on Tuesday, the cost of these vaccines "makes them inaccessible to the majority of poor world citizens, who account for by far the greatest rates of cervical cancer mortality".
In the private healthcare sector, the vaccines cost more than R2 100 for the three required doses.
The TAC's Nomfundo Eland said the organisation had engaged the pharmaceutical companies and with the South African Department of Health.
"Both companies are willing to reduce prices for the South African public sector," Mhlathi said, but questioned how substantial the price reduction would be.
"At the current price, in order to provide Gardasil (one of the vaccines) to these girls, the public sector would need more than R3,6-billion for the initial vaccination effort and R1,2-billion annually thereafter."
natasha.joseph@inl.co.za
- This article was originally published on page 7 of Cape Times on November 12, 2008
|
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Digg
Delicious
Newsvine
Facebook
muti
Twitter
