Doctors Balk at Cost of Merck Vaccine

[Guest guest]

Nope, not another item about the Gardasil vaccine for HPV.

This time, the complaint is over the Zostavax vaccine for shingles,

which debuted last fall for folks who are 60 and older. Docs say they

want to administer it, but they can't afford to purchase bulk

quantities, which must remain frozen.

" It's a terrific vaccine, highly effective and people want it, "

Schmader, chairman of the research committee of the American

Geriatrics Society, tells The Star-Ledger of New Jersey. " The problem

is paying for it. "

Says one doc: " It's a good vaccine, but I don't want to purchase

$2,000 worth of vaccine if people don't show up to buy it. "

Of course, it doesn't help that Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement

rules can be confusing.

Obviously, Merck has a tough sales job. If more older Americans

thought it was a good idea to get vaccinated against shingles, they

would be rolling up their sleeves right now. And docs wouldn't be

reluctant to pay for it. After all, they purchase plenty of other

vaccines.

To reach its sales goal, Merck may have to convince state governments

to mandate Zostavax.

http://pharmalot.com/2007/02/doctors_balk_at_cost_of_merck.php