DCGI grants marketing authorization to SII's qHPV Vaccine

Tags: Science and Technology

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted market authorisation to Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture India’s first Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) which is indigenously developed against cervical cancer. 

Important facts

• qHPV is the first indigenous vaccine developed in India against cervical cancer which is likely to be launched by the end of this year.

• It will be an Indian vaccine for the treatment of cervical cancer in women that is both affordable and accessible.

What is Cervical Cancer?

• Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. 

• The cervix connects the body of the uterus to the vagina. 

• Cancer starts when cells in the body grow out of control.

• Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is preventable with a vaccine.

• Cervical cancer grows slowly, so it usually has time to be detected and treated before it causes serious problems.

• Women between the ages of 35 and 44 are most likely to get this disease.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)

• It comes under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

• It is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs like blood and blood products, vaccines, IV fluids and sera in India.

• It sets the standards and quality of the manufacture, sale, import and distribution of drugs in India.