Merck launches dose replacement program for HPV vaccine  - participants can qualify for limited free doses

Merck & Company, Inc. has announced a program to help address a physician's reimbursement concerns for privately insured patients, the new Dose Replacement Program for Gardasil.  Gardasil, the quadrivalent human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine is indicated in girls and women 9 to 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical cancer, precancerous or dysplactic lesions, and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

Physicians who enroll in Merck’s Dose Replacement Program can receive a limited number of free replacement doses when they administer the vaccine to privately insured 19-26 year-old women and later learn the women's insurance plans provide no HPV vaccine coverage.  Participants in the program are eligible to receive one replacement dose for every 10 doses purchased during the quarter.  All participants can receive at least one replacement dose as long as they have purchased a single dose in the quarter.

The program applies to doses administered on or after May 16, 2008.  The program does not apply to doses administered to patients who are eligible for any government-funded health care program or who have no health insurance.  In addition, the program is not available in Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota or Rhode Island.

Merck expects this program to extend through 2009 while company officials work with appropriate stakeholders to identify long-term solutions to the challenges immunization providers face in obtaining reimbursement from private insurance carriers for giving the HPV vaccine to their patients.

Complete details about the program and how to enroll in the Dose Replacement Program for Gardasil can be found at www.drp4gardasil.com/Site/Home.aspx.

Contact:

Katy Gerhard

kgerhard@acog.org