New Use and Competition for Gardasil

Source: Dow Jones News wire; The Wall Street Journal

It must be STD Wednesday!  (No, not really).  Gardasil is a vaccine from Pharma Company Merck which has been found to prevent HPV (Human Papilloma Viral) infections which can cause cervical cancer.

The drug became somewhat controversial for early administration to Teens and Tweens. Without stepping into the debate, the two camps were those who believed this promoted premarital and early sexual activity and those who realize that if teens are going to anyway, shouldn’t their daughter’s be protected.  (See what I did there?)

Apparently Gardasil is also useful in preventing genital warts in males. Perhaps not surprising as the viruses are similar.  The FDA is slated to review Gardasil for approval for new application in males.  Merck stockholders rejoice.

However, before you spend your mad Pharma money, rival GlaxoSmithKline has come out with Cervarix, their version of the same purpose driven drug for “girls and women” (not my sexist wording, btw).  One to watch.

Posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esquire