BMA recommends use of Gardasil in HPV vaccinations

The British Medical Association (BMA) has recommended the use of the drug Gardasil in the UK's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes.

In a letter from BMA public health medicines committee co-chairs Richard Jarvis and Keith Reid to ministers, the organisation has suggested that the product can offer improved public health benefits and cost-effectiveness.

Manufactured by Merck Sharpe and Dohme, Gardasil can offer effectiveness against HPV strains 6 and 11 as well as 16 and 18, while it can also provide improved protection against genital warts and recurrent laryngeal papilloma.

The letter suggested that the risk posed by these conditions were not sufficiently taken into account when the initial HPV vaccine choice was made, while also highlighting the success Australia's vaccination programme has had using Gardasil.

Responding to the letter, health minister Anne Milton said: "I can assure you that the process for choosing the next HPV vaccine takes full account of all the relevant scientific data."

Last week, a Cancer Research UK-funded study suggested that many patients receiving HPV vaccines incorrectly believe this means they do not need to undergo screening for cervical cancer.