MSD launches 'Gardasil' for cervical cancer at Rs 2,800

New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) MSD Pharmaceuticals, the Indian subsidiary of US-based Merck&Co, today launched Gardasil, the country's first vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer at Rs 2,800.

''With the launch of the new product, we have initiated a war against the disease which is the leading cause of mortality among the Indian women due to cancer,'' said MSD Managing Director Naveen A Rao.

The recommended age for initiation of the vaccine is 10-12 years and catch-up vaccination is permitted up to the age of 26 years.

It is recommended that the vaccine be given in three doses at 0, 2 and 6 months.

The vaccine will be available at Rs 2,800 per dose.

The medicine, already available in 108 countries across the world, is the only USFDA approved vaccine to help prevent against cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV types contained in the vaccine.

''We plan to work with the government to make it available to the public sector at a reasonable price,'' Mr Rao said, but quickly added that it will be too early to say anything now.

On company's future plans, he said MSD will launch one new product every six months.

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