http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jezebel.com.png http://jezebel.com/tag/merck http://jezebel.com/tag/merck

The HPV vaccine, Gardasil, was expected to be a slam-dunk for pharmaceutical giant Merck. Instead, it's considered a business failure. Among the many reasons: The politicization of inoculating little girls against future STDs. More »
]]> http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5632173&view=rss&microfeed=true

• Merck and Co reported today that Gardasil may protect men from HPV-caused infection and More »
]]> http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5086428&view=rss&microfeed=true

Some experts think that the overly aggressive marketing of HPV vaccine Gardasil and the lobbying of Gardasil manufacturer Merck has led to the vaccine's potential over-prescription. According to the New York Times, "Some experts worry about the consequences of the rapid rollout of the new vaccines without more medical evidence about how best to deploy them. They say that because of the aggressive marketing, even parents of girls who are far from being sexually active may feel pressured into giving them a vaccine that is not yet needed and whose long-term impact is still unclear." Merck, of course, has already made big buckies with their zealous Gardasil-selling. Gardasil has "a projected sales of $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion outside Europe this year, and more from sales in Europe, where Merck sells the vaccine through a joint venture with Sanofi Aventis," the Times reports. [NY Times] More »
]]> http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5039571&view=rss&microfeed=true

Gardasil has been denied delayed approval by the FDA for use in women ages 27-45. According to Reuters, "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a letter regarding the application that it has completed its review and there are 'issues' that preclude approval within the expected review time frame." Merck was also not granted approval to expand the cervical cancer vaccine to cover a greater number of HPV strains. The company still plans to seek approval for male use of Gardasil. UPDATE: If you're over 26, you can still get the shot, it just will not be covered by most insurances nor is it recommended for use by the FDA. [Reuters via MSNBC] More »
]]> http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5019647&view=rss&microfeed=true

According to news reports, the FDA will decide whether or not to extend the the administration of Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, to women ages 27-45, by this summer. Currently, Gardasil is only approved for use in women ages 9-26. A spokeswoman for Merck, the company that produces Gardasil, emphasized that the vaccine prevents four different strains of HPV, so even women who already have HPV can consider getting the Gardasil shots in order to prevent strains they do not have. The current HPV tests do not differentiate between the types of the virus. [Gardasil] More »
]]> http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=370151&view=rss&microfeed=true

• Cutest discovery evs?? A new population of these owl-looking motherfuckers called De Brazza's monkeys — thought to be near extinction — were found in Kenya. Look at that face! Don't you kind of want one? [National Geographic]

More »
]]> http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=318992&view=rss&microfeed=true

The strange connection between heartburn during pregnancy and babies born with lots of hair. Perhaps this explains Suri Cruise. [NY Times] More »
]]> http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=238440&view=rss&microfeed=true