E-DRUG: Increasing Transparency of Cost for HPV vaccine
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Based on an MSF commission, a new study of the closely held manufacturing costs for HPV Vaccines - Gardasil and Cervarix brands - nprovides ministers and other purchasers the basis for lower prices. See the open access, short article and its appendices at
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.09.042
Findings
This detailed sensitivity analysis, based on the best available evidence, finds that after a first set of batches for affluent markets, manufacturing costs of Gardasil for developing countries range between $0.48 and $0.59 a dose, a fraction of its alleged costs of $4.50. Because volume of Cervarix is low, its per unit costs are much higher, though at comparable volumes, its costs would be similar.
Interpretation
Given the recovery of fixed and annual costs from sales in affluent markets, Merck’s break-even price to Gavi could be $0.50–$0.60, not $4.50. These savings could support Gavi programs to strengthen delivery and increase coverage. Outside Gavi, prices to lower- and middle-income countries, with profit, could also be lowered and made available to millions more adolescents at risk.
Donald W. Light
<dlight@princeton.edu>