BASHH Expresses Disappointment That The Government Missed The Chance To Eradicate Genital Warts From The Medical Map

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Women's Health / Gynecology;  Immune System / Vaccines
Article Date: 19 Jun 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) today expressed disappointment that the Government has missed the opportunity to eradicate a common STI, genital warts, from the medical map, as today's announcement by the Department of Health on the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV), "Department of Health awards contract for HPV vaccine", saw GlaxoSmithKline's vaccine Ceravix awarded the Government contract.

Two vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil®, were competing for the contract. Both vaccines demonstrate highly effective protection against HPV 16 and 18, which are responsible for the majority of cases of cervical cancer.

However only one of the vaccines, Gardasil®, protects against HPV types 6 and 11 as well as 16 and 18. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for both abnormal smear results and external genital lesions e.g. genital warts.

Imtyaz Ahmed, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) commented: "Approximately 80,000 patients attend Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics and other sexual health Departments in the UK each year with genital warts. Although warts are a localised skin condition they often cause psychological and relationship problems, especially regarding concerns about transmission. The treatment of genital warts is cost effective but can be slow to work and is often associated with appreciable discomfort. We are concerned that the government have missed an opportunity to eradicate this condition from the medical map. "

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection in the UK and causes a range of genital disease including genital warts and pre-cancer, as well as cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis and anus.

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)
www.bashh.org

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