Merck Gardasil Ad In India Sparks Controversy
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Indian television has been airing a 15-second commercial by Merck for its Gardasil vaccine that has the health care community concerned about the drug's safety. Merck recently launched an advertising campaign in India to promote the vaccine designed to prevent the human papilloma virus associated with cervical cancer. The concern is the advertisements do not disclose the U.S. controversy surrounding the safety of the drug. Another issue is the ad's suggested use for girls as young as nine years old. Medical scientists in India object to what they called using fear to sell a product. (Click here for more