U.S. House of Representative seal U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz
Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2006		 CONTACT:  Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111
 

Representative Schwartz Applauds FDA Approval

of Cervical Cancer Vaccine
 
Washington, D.C. - Representative Allyson Schwartz applauded the Federal Drug Administration’s approval of the first-ever cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil. The vaccine was developed by Merck, a major employer in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The Merck-developed vaccine will protect against two types of human papilloma virus (HPV) responsible for approximately 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The primary cause of cervical cancer is certain high-risk strains of HPV. 

 

“Every year in the United States, approximately 10,000 American women develop cervical cancer and 3,700 women die. Thanks to the hard-work of the scientists, doctors, and medical professionals at Merck, in particular those working at West Point in Lansdale, cervical cancer will be a disease of the past. I applaud the FDA for approving this lifesaving vaccine, and I congratulate Merck on a well-achieved breakthrough for women’s health care,” said Representative Schwartz.

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