Latest news with #HumanPapillomavirus
News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
India Bets On Jan Aushadhi Kendras For HPV Vaccine To Prevent Cervical Cancer, Adds 116 New Drugs
Last Updated: The list also includes medicines for heart diseases, diabetes, epilepsy, apart from various other types of cancers The government's plan a roll out a nationwide HPV vaccination drive for girls to prevent cervical cancer remains stalled due to insufficient vaccine stock. To tide over the problem, the Narendra Modi government's flagship affordable generic drugs scheme, Jan Aushadhi, has now decided to include the HPV or Human Papillomavirus among 116 new medicines being added to its portfolio. The final list of medicines, accessed by News18, lists the recombinant HPV quadrivalent vaccine, which is effective against diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. '…used for the prevention of HPV-associated cancers, such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancer", mentions the document in the category of usage of the drug. The vaccine is expected to be available at subsidised rates through Jan Aushadhi outlets. The objective of the planned offering is to offer timely access, even as the national rollout remains uncertain. 'While the meeting to discuss the status of the roll-out of the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls (aged 9 to 14 years) is expected to take place during the last week of June, there is no update from the Serum Institute of India (SII) on the requested quantity of vaccine doses. Without them, we cannot decide timelines or go ahead," a senior government official told News18. Meanwhile, the Union government is trying to expand access to HPV vaccines via Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). 'The scheme has just rolled out the tender for marketing the HPV vaccine as part of the initiative to add 116 more medicines to its existing bouquet of over 2,100 drugs and 315 surgical and medical devices," another senior government official said, adding that the price of the vaccine available at Jan Aushadhi retail outlets may not be steeply discounted. However, it remains unclear how the tendering procedure will work as in India, only the Serum Institute of India is currently the licensed manufacturer of the HPV vaccine. For the private market in India, the HPV vaccine from SII — Cervavac — typically costs Rs 4,000 per dose. Other Medicines on the List The Jan Aushadhi scheme offers generic drugs priced at 50–90 per cent lower than their branded counterparts in the market. The new list of medicines will be available at 16,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across India by September. 'It takes three to six months to complete the procurement procedure and bring medicines onto the retail shelf. The list was finalised in March, and now the tendering process is underway," the second official said. A significant portion of the medicines being added are for the treatment of heart disease and diabetes — two of India's most pressing health challenges. While India is often called the 'Diabetes Capital of the World,' with over 74 million adults affected, it also accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the world's heart disease burden. The list also includes several cancer drugs, including Ibrutinib, used in the treatment of blood cancer and costing between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,500, which severely hurts the pocket of middle and lower-income class patients and families. Also, the list includes Abiraterone Acetate, a drug used in the treatment of prostate cancer, blood cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and also prescribed in some cases of sickle cell anaemia. A bottle of 60 tablets of the drug costs around Rs 35,000. With inclusion under the scheme, the prices of these drugs—in their generic version—are expected to fall by at least 50 per cent. Several other drugs for therapeutic categories such as the central nervous system, epilepsy and seizures, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anti-allergy and bone deficiencies are also part of the list. In March, Union health minister JP Nadda said the scheme is helping over 10 lakh people access affordable medicines, leading to cumulative savings of Rs 30,000 crore. While the scheme has been helping those, who cannot afford branded medicines, if it manages to offer quality cancer drugs and the HPV vaccine at discounted prices, it could set a significant benchmark for public health affordability and access. First Published:
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Breast, cervical cancer cases surge in Coimbatore district
Coimbatore: There is an alarming rise in breast and cervical cancer cases in the district. If the data available with the 13 govt hospitals that screen for breast and cervical cancers in Coimbatore is anything to go by, the test positivity rate is steadily increasing by 2% to 4% every year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Nowadays, women, irrespective of their age group, are vulnerable for breast and cervical cancers. Early menstruation, late menopause and obesity are major reasons for breast cancer. Women consuming excessive fatty foods and alcohol could also contract breast cancer. Women with poor vaginal hygiene, multiple sexual partners and multiple child births are at the risk of contracting cervical cancer," says Dr P Guhan, director and chief oncologist, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. As per the data gathered from the 13 govt hospitals, 1,164 women were tested positive for cervical cancer in the district in 2024-25, against 726 in 2023-34 and 484 in 2022-23. The hospitals employ the VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) screening method to diagnose cervical cancer. "The positive cases are referred to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for further treatment. The data shows that there is a rise in cervical cancer cases in the semi urban and rural areas of the district every year. Hence, screening for the same should be beefed up in the villages and suburban areas. Early detection is very important to cure cancers," said an official with the Public Health Department. Similarly, the district has recorded an increase in breast cancer cases to 842 in 2024-25 from 623 in 2023-24 and 517 in 2022-23. According to the oncologists, breast cancer cases are high in urban areas, while rural areas top the district in cervical cancer cases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Only early detection and treatment could cure these cancers, which could be caused by lifestyle changes and diet as well," they say. A Nirmala, dean, CMCH, said it was advisable for every woman under the reproductive age to get vaccinated with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and take a pap smear test. "Women above the age of 30 should do a mammogram annually or at least once in two years. Usually, cancer cells take a couple of years to reach 1cm in size and become visible. Hence, annual screening is a preventive measure." These days, she says, chemotherapy, surgery and most other treatments are covered under the chief minister's comprehensive health insurance scheme both in govt and private hospitals. "Despite all these facilities, a few people refuse to get diagnosed."
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
SII launches nationwide HPV cancer awareness campaign
The 'Conquer HPV Cancer Conclave 2025' was launched in Pune on Thursday as part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the Serum Institute of India (SII). India continues to face a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer among women in the country. India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually, according to the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC). This apart, up to 90% of anal cancers and 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV. At the Pune event, a panel of medical specialists engaged in an in-depth discussion about the public health implications of HPV. The panel included Dr Meenu Agarwal, consultant gynaecologist infertility specialist and laparoscopic surgeon, Dr Shirish Kankariya, pediatrician, Dr Mahima Lalwani, consultant obstetrician, gynecologist, infertility specialist .The session was moderated by Dr Sanjay K Lalwani, vice principal and head, department of paediatrics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital, Pune. Together, they highlighted the pressing need for awareness, the importance of reaching both adolescents and parents, and the role of healthcare providers in guiding preventive care. The speakers emphasised that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx, affecting both men and women. With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 and 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. With an affordable HPV vaccine now available, it has become even easier to protect every individual from HPV associated cancers. 'Through these conclaves held across the country, we aim to increase understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical and other cancers,' said Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director, SII. 'By bringing together medical experts, healthcare workers, and community members, the forum encourages open dialogue and practical steps toward early detection and prevention,' he added.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Medical conclave urges stronger push for gender-neutral HPV vaccine for boys
Pune: Boys, along with girls, must be vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), doctors at the launch of the "Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025" last week said. Panelists said that govt backs vaccination for girls under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), but boys and men, who are carriers of the virus, are equally affected by HPV and cancer-causing HPV and hence must also be vaccinated. Speakers emphasised that HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the sexual organs, affecting both men and women. With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 to 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. Medical director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital Dr Sanjay Lalwani, who anchored the panel discussion, said the indigenous vaccine, Cervavac, is effective, safe and affordable. He added, "It is a gender-neutral vaccine and boys must also get vaccinated. While women can be screened regularly through a pap smear test, as of now men do not have any screening programme. So, boys between the age of 9 and 14 years must also be vaccinated, just like girls." Vaccination can protect partners from HPV-related cancers in adult life. There is no specific way to test directly for HPV in men that is approved for clinical use. The American Sexual Health Association has observed that men are typically screened clinically with a visual inspection to check for lesions such as warts. While still not routinely done, anyone with a history of receptive anal sex may want to speak with his or her healthcare provider about having an anal pap test, the association said. Dr Meenu Agarwal, secretary-general of International Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy, said, she sees young girls and women with genital warts and cervical cancer cases. "Now, when we go to the root of the problem, we realize that it is a sexually transmitted disease and that is the reason we need to vaccinate both boys and girls because we need to take care of the source of the spread." The rationale is to prevent different types of cancers that can occur in men as well, Dr Shirish Kankariya, former president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, said. Parag Deshmukh, executive director, Serum Institute of India said, "Conclaves across the country will help increase understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical and other cancers." The conclave is part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the institute. 77k Cervical Cancer Deaths India bears a significant burden of HPV-related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in the country According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths, annually Up to 90% of anal cancers & 63% of penile cancers are associated with HPV
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Bhagalpur ramps up HPV vaccination drive to protect girls
Bhagalpur: District administration has directed the health department to ensure that interested girl students between the age group of 9 and 14 years are administered free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at the sadar hospital and JLNMCH on working days from 9.00am to 4.00pm. This initiative will safeguard the girls from cervical cancer. During a review meeting held on Tuesday, DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary issued the directives. The special HPV vaccination drive, an important programme under 'Mukhyamantri Balika Cancer Pratirakshan Yojana' (MBCPY), was launched in the district recently. The DM said the vaccine is safe and it is a preventive measure for the girls from developing cervical cancer later in their lives. He urged the family members of the girls to accomplish the objective of the vaccination drive. Aadhaar card and school identity card, for the verification of the age of the schoolgirls, are mandatory for vaccination, said the DM. He also asked the health officials to submit the data of vaccinations done so far. Nearly 400 schoolgirls have already been given the HPV vaccines at the OPD of sadar hospital and JLNMCH so far, said district immunisation officer (DIO), Dr Dhananjay Kumar. He said cervical cancer accounts for 17% deaths because of malignancy among adult women. "Our teams are creating awareness among the schoolgirls while visiting the schools and interacting with them, teachers and guardians," said the DIO. District education officer (DEO), Rajkumar Sharma, said directives to the principals and in charges of the high schools and middle schools have been given to make available the data of the schoolgirls in the age group of 09-14 at their respective schools so that the free HPV vaccines are administered to them. Bhagalpur: District administration has directed the health department to ensure that interested girl students between the age group of 9 and 14 years are administered free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at the sadar hospital and JLNMCH on working days from 9.00am to 4.00pm. This initiative will safeguard the girls from cervical cancer. During a review meeting held on Tuesday, DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary issued the directives. The special HPV vaccination drive, an important programme under 'Mukhyamantri Balika Cancer Pratirakshan Yojana' (MBCPY), was launched in the district recently. The DM said the vaccine is safe and it is a preventive measure for the girls from developing cervical cancer later in their lives. He urged the family members of the girls to accomplish the objective of the vaccination drive. Aadhaar card and school identity card, for the verification of the age of the schoolgirls, are mandatory for vaccination, said the DM. He also asked the health officials to submit the data of vaccinations done so far. Nearly 400 schoolgirls have already been given the HPV vaccines at the OPD of sadar hospital and JLNMCH so far, said district immunisation officer (DIO), Dr Dhananjay Kumar. He said cervical cancer accounts for 17% deaths because of malignancy among adult women. "Our teams are creating awareness among the schoolgirls while visiting the schools and interacting with them, teachers and guardians," said the DIO. District education officer (DEO), Rajkumar Sharma, said directives to the principals and in charges of the high schools and middle schools have been given to make available the data of the schoolgirls in the age group of 09-14 at their respective schools so that the free HPV vaccines are administered to them.
