GlaxoSmithKline cervical cancer vaccine now accessible to more Filipinas

In a breakthrough effort to protect more Filipino women from cervical cancer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Philippines has announced a significant price reduction for its cervical cancer vaccine.

The landmark move highlights GSK’s dedication to cervical cancer prevention and its continued advocacy to give Filipinos the quality medicines and vaccines they need at prices they can afford. Effective immediately, the vaccine will now be available at a new affordable price – offering as much as 60% reduction from its original price.

“When we said that every woman deserves a chance against cervical cancer, we meant it. GSK Philippines is proud to achieve this important milestone of being the first country to make our cervical cancer vaccine affordable to more women. With this initiative, we will be able to help protect more women and their futures against the harsh realities of cervical cancer,” said Rick Gain, GSK President and Managing Director.

GlaxoSmithKline’s cervical cancer vaccine is the first vaccine to adopt the ValueHealth philosophy. Launched in 2004, ValueHealth enabled more Filipinos to benefit from trusted GSK innovator brands at reduced prices, ranging from antibiotics, anti-asthma and cough medicines. It was GSK’s response to the need of Filipinos for more affordable healthcare – a need that continues to be urgent in the case of cervical cancer as it remains the second highest cancer killer among women in the Philippines, claiming an estimated 4,300 lives out of the 6,000 cases reported each year. With the price reduction, more Filipino women can now avail of this life-saving vaccine.

GSK’s cervical cancer vaccine’s indication, as approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs, is for females 10 years of age onwards. It protects against the two most common cancer-causing HPV types, 16 and 18, which together are responsible for over 70 percent of cervical cancer cases in Asia Pacific. It has also shown efficacy against persistent infection caused by 12 other cancer-causing HPV types beyond HPV 16 and 18.

Clinical data also demonstrated that GSK’s cervical cancer vaccine provides this protection for nearly six and a half years, the longest duration of protection reported to date for a cervical cancer vaccine– certainly welcome news for women as it is estimated that up to 80% will acquire an HPV virus infection in their lifetime.

With this pioneering initiative, GSK hopes to realize its vision of crossing (X-ing) out cervical cancer, enabling more Filipino women to do more, feel better and live longer.

GlaxoSmithKline: A Leader in Vaccines

GlaxoSmithKline is a leading global vaccine manufacturer committed to preventing diseases in people of all ages with innovative vaccines and delivery systems. The company is active in the fields of vaccine research, development and production with over 30 vaccines approved for marketing and 20 more in development.

As one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and health care companies, GSK is committed in improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.