GSK's human papillomavirus vaccine is the first of its kind to get approval for use from China. (Photo : Getty Images)
China has allowed the use of GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK)'s vaccine called Cervarix to help intensify its campaign against cervical cancer, Reuters reported, citing an announcement from the drugmaker.
The news marks as the first time that the country has given license for the use of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
GSK's Cervarix is scheduled to be launched in early 2017.
According to the article, cervical cancer is the second most prevalent kind among Chinese women aged 15 to 44 years old. Annually, approximately 130,000 new cases are being reported.
GSK also noted that globally, China accounts for over 28 percent of the total cases of cervical cancer. On the average, a new case is being detected every minute worldwide.
The premier drug-making firm shared that with the said approval, Chinese women from 9 to 25 years old will now have an access to a vaccine that will help them prevent cervical cancer.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman from the China Food and Drug Administration (CDFA) remarked that it has approved the company's "application for an import registration of the vaccine," Reuters wrote.
Back in 2014, GSK made headlines in the country when it was fined around U.S.$500 million for bribing Chinese doctors. Since then, it has struggled to regain its sales in the domestic market.
Apart from this, the Chinese government has also significantly reduced the price of three drugs earlier in May. These include GSK's Viread, a hepatitis B drug.
Nonetheless, GSK assured that it will work hand in hand with Chinese officials to make sure that there will be a heightened effort in giving access to vaccines.
Hervé Gisserot, GSK China/Hong Kong's senior vice president of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, said in a statement that in order "to achieve this, we are ready to explore an innovative pricing approach to support the inclusion of Cervarix into public cervical cancer immunisation programmes."
