University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, is disappointed by a decision which means many Australian girls will continue waiting for a revolutionary cancer vaccine developed at UQ.
“It should never have been necessary for the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, to intervene,” Professor Hay said.
“The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) should never have denied Australian girls and young women widespread access to protection from a vaccine discovered by UQ’s Professor Ian Frazer and the late Dr Jian Zhou.
“The vast majority of Australian girls and young women who would benefit from receiving the vaccine must wait as the manufacturer, CSL, resubmits an application for the vaccine to be subsidised.
“Rigorous clinical trials have proven the vaccine prevents cervical cancer, and it has been approved in the United States.
“However the only Australian girls with ready access to this treatment are those whose families can afford the full market price.
“Prime Minister Howard had the honour of bestowing the title of 2006 Australian of the Year upon Professor Frazer, and I encourage Mr Howard to do all in his power to see that the vaccine is funded, and is delivered to Australian girls without further delay."
The PBAC decided on Wednesday not to recommend Gardasil as a subsidised routine vaccination.
MEDIA: Fiona Kennedy (07 3365 1088, 0413 380 012)
.jpg)
