Call for worldwide use of cervical cancer vaccines

LONDON, Dec 13 (Reuters) International health experts called for rapid worldwide access to new cervical cancer vaccines that have the potential to save a quarter of a million lives a year.

Merck&Co Inc's recently launched Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Cervarix, which is expected to be approved next year, protect women against human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes most cases of the disease.

The new products are likely to be embraced in rich countries but their use in the developing world -- where 80 per cent of cervical cancer deaths occur -- is uncertain because of unresolved issues over funding, delivery and political challenges.

The call for global access yesterday came at a conference in London bringing together 60 health experts from multilateral agencies, government, charities and the drug industry.

REUTERS LL ND0936