MSD Ireland welcomes launch of “Action Plan to Eliminate HPV-Related Cervical Cancer” in Ireland by 2040
November 21, 2024 2:41 pm ET
MSD Ireland welcomes the news that cervical cancer rates in Ireland continue to drop [i] as Ireland launches an ambitious Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan, a “significant milestone in the global drive to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.” The newly launched [ii] action plan aligns with MSD’s own commitment to harnessing the power of leading-edge science to address some of the world’s biggest healthcare challenges, including the elimination of HPV related cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women globally, with an estimated 265 cases [iii] diagnosed annually in Ireland alone, and 85 lives lost each year to this disease [iii]. Yet, with a combination of increased vaccination, enhanced screening, and more comprehensive treatment [iv], we can work towards a future where no woman must go through the distress of a cervical cancer diagnosis in Ireland.
This Action Plan is launched on the fourth anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO) global initiative to eliminate cervical cancer [v] and one year on from the Minister for Health’s announcement of Ireland’s commitment to this goal, setting the target date for cervical cancer elimination by 2040 [vi]. Ireland joins countries like Sweden [vii] and Australia [viii], which are already on track to eliminate the disease.
Samantha Humphreys, Managing Director of Human Health at MSD Ireland, commented: “We welcome the introduction of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan in Ireland as a significant milestone in the global drive to eliminate cervical cancer. Ireland has an important role to play and we’re immensely proud of the role we play in supporting the goal of HPV elimination, starting with cervical cancer elimination.”
She continued: “The introduction of this action plan marks a crucial step forward in reducing the burden of the disease and improving long-term health outcomes for women. The action plan represents a vital step in Ireland’s effort to eliminate the impact of the disease, through a focus on screening and vaccination programmes, and ultimately saving lives by preventing future cases of cervical cancer. To achieve this ambitious goal, stakeholders must work together on this action plan, and the specific goals outlined within, which includes: ‘increasing HPV vaccination rates for girls by age 15 to 90% by 2030 (currently at 84%) [ix]; maintaining cervical screening coverage above 70% (currently at 73%) [x]; and maintaining the number of women receiving treatment above 90% (currently at 97%) [xi]. We particularly welcome and will support efforts to increase awareness and education about HPV and related cancers in the community and among vulnerable and marginalised groups.”
To learn more about MSD and Ireland’s HPV story, visit: www.msd.ie
ENDS
About MSD Ireland MSD Ireland is one of the country’s leading healthcare companies, having first established here over 50 years ago. The company has a dynamic and diverse team of over 3,000 employees currently working across seven sites in Ballydine, Co Tipperary, Brinny, Co Cork, Dunboyne, Co Meath, Carlow and Dublin, and, in addition, operate substantial Human Health and Animal Health businesses. At MSD Ireland, we work at the forefront of science and technology to advance manufacturing excellence and R&D across our Irish sites and global company network. With a long-standing footprint in Ireland, our Irish sites manufacture approximately half of MSD’s top 20 products, helping save and enhance lives in over 140 countries.
[i] Irish Independent – Cervical cancer rate in Ireland ‘continuing to drop’ and on track for elimination by 2040 16 November, 2024
[ii] Irelands_Cervical_Cancer_Elimination_Action_Plan_2025-2030.pdf
[iii] NCRI_HPVRelatedCancers_2024_0.pdf
[iv] WHO – “Human papillomavirus and cancer”, published 4th March 2024 [Cited 2024, 31 October]
[v] Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative
[vi] Together towards elimination: Ireland on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 – Corporate
[vii] A global blueprint for cervical cancer elimination: learnings from Sweden – Economist Impact
[viii] National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Australia | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
[ix] Irelands_Cervical_Cancer_Elimination_Action_Plan_2025-2030.pdf
[x] Irelands_Cervical_Cancer_Elimination_Action_Plan_2025-2030.pdf
[xi] Irelands_Cervical_Cancer_Elimination_Action_Plan_2025-2030.pdf
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