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Published on August 7, 2007

"We do not allow the advertisement of this vaccine," FDA secretary-general Siriwat Tiptaradol said. "It remains a specially-controlled medicine".

The vaccine was registered as a medicine in March. Its effects will be monitored for two years.

Between 6,000 and 8,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. The mortality rate is about 19.9 in every 100,000 people. 

"At this point, hospitals can only give information on the vaccine and the information must be complete," Siriwat said.

Some hospitals not only advertised but sent pamphlets to target groups. "Some pamphlets contain incomplete information," he added.

The vaccination requires three injections costing about Bt6,000 each.

Assoc Prof Dr Somsak Suthotvoravut, who heads the reproductive-health department at Ramathibodi Hospital, explained the vaccine did not guarantee women would not develop cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus. "There are about 100 strains of the virus," he said.

However, most incidences of cervical cancer involved just four strains, with the most common known as 16 and 18, he added. "The current vaccine can protect women from contracting strains 6, 11, 16 and 18 only," he added.

Somsak said the vaccine was effective in virgins vaccinated before age 25.

The Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecolo-gists, the Infectious Disease Association and other authorities are concerned how the vaccine is being advertised.

"We plan to issue a warning within a month," Somsak said.

Somsak said sexual intercourse at a young age, promiscuity and contracting sexually transmitted diseases increased the risk of cervical cancer.

Dr Tharet Karatsanaira-wiwong, who heads the Health Service Support Department's medical registration division, said medical service providers could be punished by a Bt20,000 fine if convicted of exaggerated advertising.

"We will remind them about advertising and that they must provide complete information to users," he said.

Duangkamon  Sajirawattanakul

The Nation