MSD India is in dialogue with the government of India to include cervical cancer vaccine ‘Gardasil’ under the universal immunization programme (UIP).

“We have approached the governments and discussions are on. The biggest challenge in India is the awareness about cervical cancer and this is where the new cervical cancer prevention programme ‘GuardYourself’ should provide the much-needed education, screening and vaccination efforts,” said K G  Ananthakrishnan, managing director, MSD India, at the launch of the intuitive in Bengaluru.

The company has already opened the GuardYourself centres at Delhi, Gwalior and Guwahati. For 2012, the company, has targeted 25 new centres to be opened. Over 100 doctors and hospitals are supporting the cause. The effort will help the immunization which will prevent the dreaded disease in the Indian population, he added.

GuardYourself will provide an opportunity to every woman to discuss about  cervical cancer and get them protected. This is first of its kind programme in the country which includes GuardYourself centres, support website, 24x7 call centre and mass media public message. These centres are being opened across the country at existing clinics where doctors are helping to increase  expert access to cervical cancer awareness and also ensure regular screening  for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and prevention through medical consultation. To answer queries, MSD has also a toll free line, stated Dr Hema Diwakar, president, Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of India.

As an independent body, we are also is also pressing the Union government  for the need to introduce it under the national immunization programme and translate the need for cancer vaccination as a policy, she added.

Gardasil can be administered between 12 to 39 years. MSD is gearing up educate the mothers on the benefits of the three dose vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.

The company has been promoting the Gardasil through gynaecologists, obstetricians and paediatricians. Annually around 72,825 women succumb to cervical cancer which is more than one forth of the global deaths and this is an effort to fight and reduce the fatal cases. This programme in India by MSD is national effort and each year we hope to reach out to a larger section of the people, stated the company.

According to the panel of medical experts present at the launch, cervical cancer is caused by certain high risk HPV types that can cause the cells in the lining of the cervix to change from normal to pre-cancerous lesions. If not detected early and treated it could lead to fatality.