The Annals Evolution of Clinical Pharmacy | Now Available
home help contact us subscription past issues search current issue
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


Published Online, 10 March 2009, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1L483.
 The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 740-744. DOI 10.1345/aph.1L483
© 2009 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
This Article
Right arrow Résumé Freely available
Right arrow Extracto Freely available
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow PDF
Right arrow For Our Patients
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Articles Ahead of Print
Right arrow [Order Reprint]
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Flaherty, D. K
Right arrow Articles by Alkhateeb, F. M
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Flaherty, D. K
Right arrow Articles by Alkhateeb, F. M

Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent Vaccine: A Look Behind The Numbers

Dennis K Flaherty, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV

Fadi M Alkhateeb, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston

Reprints: Dr. Flaherty, University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, 2300 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, fax 304/357-4868, dennisflaherty{at}ucwv.edu

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent vaccine was licensed in 2006 for prevention of cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers caused by HPV-16 and -18 and genital warts caused by HPV-6 and -11. It is also indicated for prevention of precancerous and dysplastic lesions caused by HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18. Questions exist about the number of women and girls infected with the HPV strains covered by the vaccine, as well as about the vaccine's cost-effectiveness. There are also concerns about the efficacy of the vaccine in girls and young women, the population impact of the vaccine, the duration of protection, and the usefulness of the vaccine in developing countries. Careful consideration should be given to these issues by pharmacy and pharmacy professional organizations. To formulate reasonable healthcare guidelines, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals will need to engage policymakers in conversations concerning the vaccine's merits or limitations and the economic impact.

Key Words: cervical cancer, Gardasil, human papillomavirus, vaccine

Published Online, March 10, 2009. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1L483




homecopy help contact us subscription past issues search current issue
Copyright © 2009 by Harvey Whitney Books Company.