The Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society is negotiating with pharma companies to bring down the price.
With the high cost of vaccination for cervical cancer discouraging many women from getting inoculated, the Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society is negotiating with pharma companies to bring down the price.
“We have observed that the cost of the vaccination, besides low awareness on the disease and the inoculation, was one of the deterrents for women to opt for it. So, we have been negotiating with pharma companies to bring down the cost of the cervical cancer vaccination. We will also welcome the government’s decision on this issue, if any,” said Dr Nozer Sheriar, president of the Society.
The cervical cancer vaccination, which has to be taken in three doses, costs Rs 6,000-Rs7,000.
But, pharma firms feel that the bigger problem is not the cost of the vaccination, but lack of awareness of the disease.
“Cost is associated with volume and right now the main problem is awareness. So, we have been holding camps with the doctors for the same,” said a senior officer from a leading pharma company dealing with cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer has recently emerged as the number one cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India. Every year, 74,000 women die because of cervical cancer in India.
Cervical cancer’s main underlying cause is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually-transmitted and largely symptom-less infection for which there is no cure.
“Cervical cancer is one type of cancer that can be prevented with vaccination. We know its cause, but ironically, it is still the number one cancer among women,” said Dr Vanita Raut, consultant gynaecologist, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital.
To create more awareness, the Society has started health camps for screening and sensitisation.
“Till date, we have held four such camps that were attended by more than 700 women. We have also contacted mahila mandals for the same. We will continue to organise such health camps and ensure that we reach out to maximum people,” said Dr Sheriar.
The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India has also asked all city gynaecologists to sensitise their patients and counsel them to give vaccination to their daughters early to “save them from cervical cancer”.
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