2 July 2007

All girls and women who have been vaccinated against quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) and who are sexually active must continue to have regular pap smears and practise safe sex.

These recommendations are included in the latest edition of NPS RADAR, a newsletter about medicines published by the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS).

Pap smears are necessary because the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, does not protect against all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

“The HPV vaccine protects against infection with four types of HPV, which are responsible for 70% to 80% of cervical cancers and at least 90% of cases of genital warts,” Dr John Dowden, of NPS said.

“The vaccine does not protect against cervical cancer caused by HPV infection acquired before vaccination. Women and girls who have been vaccinated should continue to practise safe sex because the vaccine does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections,” he said.

”Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a copy of the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) about your vaccine or medicine, especially if it is new to you,” Dr Dowden said.

Information about cervical cancer screening and the link between HPV and cancer is available from the National Cervical Screening Program.

ENDS

NPS RADAR provides independent information about new medicines and changes to PBS listings important to GPs, pharmacists and other health professionals involved in primary care management of patients. More than 24,000 people have registered for NPS RADAR email alerts.

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.