GlaxoSmithKline Inc. Drops the Price of CERVARIX™

A Patient-Focused Response to Help Ensure All Canadian Women Have Greater Access to Protection Against Cervical Cancer

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - Today, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (Canada), announced its plan to reduce the cost of CERVARIX™ by 30%. The cost reduction is in response to recent research that demonstrates the relatively high price of cervical cancer vaccines, coupled with a low understanding of their protective benefits topped the list of reasons why the majority of young Canadian women have yet to be immunized.

Last week, research supported by The Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada (GOC), The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), the Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC), and the Society of Canadian Colposcopists (SCC) revealed that 9 out of 10 Canadian women aged 18 to 25 have not been vaccinated against cervical cancer.  Half of young women polled (who do not have a private drug plan) cited cost as a barrier to obtaining the vaccine and 61% of mothers of young women agreed that cost was a deterring factor. In fact, 50% of non-vaccinated women aged 18 to 25 without vaccine coverage through their drug plan and 61% of mothers with daughters in this age group cited cost as a deciding factor. This is particularly relevant as 60% of Canadians do not have vaccine coverage through private insurance.¹

As a patient-focused company, GlaxoSmithKline Inc. was concerned to learn that the cost of cervical cancer vaccines is deterring women from protecting themselves from a largely preventable disease that kills one Canadian woman every day.²

Effective today, October 25, 2010, the manufacturer's list price of CERVARIX™ will be reduced from $134.95 a dose to $90.00 per dose, and three doses are recommended for optimal immunogenicity.  This represents a 30% reduction in the cost of CERVARIX™.

"We've looked at the research and taken action to address the barrier where we were able to impact the most.  We invite and encourage all those involved in this area of care: from those who educate women about immunization, to those who prescribe vaccines, to those who manufacture or dispense them, to consider how they too can help to ensure that all Canadian women have access to effective and affordable immunization against cervical cancer," states Paul Lucas, President and CEO of GlaxoSmithKline Inc.

About Cervical Cancer in Canada:

• More than 1,000 Canadian women are told every day that their Pap test results are abnormal.³
• Among Canadian women aged 20 to 44, cervical cancer incidence ranks second only to breast cancer.⁴
• The lifetime probability of a woman developing cervical cancer in Canada is 1 in 150.⁵
• Annually, 1450 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 420 will die from it.⁵
• Clinical trials show that vaccination alongside regular Pap screening could reduce the chance of developing cervical cancer by 94%, compared to no intervention.⁶

About CERVARIX™
CERVARIX™ is a vaccine indicated in females from 10 to 25 years of age for the prevention of cervical cancer (squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma) by protecting against the following precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV), types 16 and 18: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 and grade 3, cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1.

In an additional analysis, statistically significant vaccine efficacy in the prevention of CIN2/3 or AIS associated with HPV-31 and HPV-45 was demonstrated in the ATP and TVC cohorts, respectively. 

CERVARIX™ has the longest duration of protection reported for any licensed cervical cancer vaccine.  It is the only vaccine that has demonstrated that virtually all women tested (greater than 99%) still have protective antibodies against both HPV-16 and HPV-18 up to 6.4 years,

CERVARIX™ is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported adverse events within 7 days of vaccination with Cervarix™/control [500 μg Al(OH)₃] were: local [pain (91.8%/87.2%), redness (48.0%/24.4%) and swelling (44.1%/21.3%)]; and general [fatigue (55.0%/53.6%), headache (53.4%/61.4%)].⁷

For more information about CERVARIX™, please visit www.cervarix.ca.

About GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a leading research-based pharmaceutical company with a challenging and inspiring mission: to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. This mission gives GSK the purpose to develop innovative medicines, vaccines and healthcare solutions that help millions of people. GSK is consistently recognized as one of the 50 best employers in Canada and is a top 15 investor in Canadian research and development, contributing more than $144 million in 2009 alone. With a proud tradition of charitable and community support, GSK is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. Discover more at GSK.ca.

References:
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1. Private Health Insurance Insights Vol. 5 (4): 37.
2. Canadian Cancer Society Web site. Insight on Cancer. Volume 5.
3. The Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009. Page 12
4. Canadian Cancer Society Web site. Insight on Cancer. Volume 5. 
5. The Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009. Page 12
6. Goldie SJ, Kohli M, Grima D, Weinstein MC, Wright TC, Bosch FX, Franco E. Projected clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of a human papillomavirus 16/18 vaccine. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004b; 96: 604-615. 13.
7. Cervarix Product Monograph, August 2010

For further information:

Liana Del Medico
Product Communications
GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
[phone]