Maybe Merck & Co. should be renamed Merck/CDC & Co.

Employee of the year

If it were Wal-Mart, all the best parking spots at Merck would have signs saying “Reserved for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” In fact, at this point, the CDC might as well be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck & Co.

As you’ve probably heard, the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee recently recommended that Gardasil become part of the routine schedule of vaccines for boys.

And on what did the committee base that recommendation?

It would almost be comical if it weren’t just more Merck/CDC & Co. business as usual.

Merck makes it rain

Earlier this year I told you about a study that created the first big push to include boys in the Gardasil fiasco. Results showed that the vaccine was somewhat effective in preventing genital warts.

But genital warts isn’t exactly a national emergency. So researchers went back to the drawing board and found an HPV link to anal cancer.

No doubt, this is a serious cancer that can be deadly. But HPV is not the only cause, and the number of anal cancer deaths each year is a tiny fraction of total cancer deaths. Again — not a national emergency. So is it enough reason for the CDC to recommend the vaccine for every young boy who turns 11?

Dr. Joel Palefsky believes it is. In a lab test, Dr. Palefsky showed that Gardasil can inhibit precancerous anal lesions. He told the LA Times, “I think this is a major step forward in prevention of HPV-related cancers.”

A “major step” from a lab test? Okay, if you say so.

But Dr. Palefsky’s glowing opinion of his own research is blunted by a major conflict of interest. The Times notes that Dr. Palefsky has been an advisor to Merck and received grants from the company.

Who’s shocked? Anyone? No. Merck has enough cash on hand to purchase as many researchers as necessary. In the genital warts study, seven of the authors were employees of Merck and owned Merck stock or stock options, and five authors received Merck grant support.

The worst part of this sorry CDC recommendation is that it carries plenty of clout. If the CDC gives Gardasil the green light as a routine shot for all young boys and girls, insurance coverage will follow. And as easy as that, this potentially dangerous vaccine will be folded in with the growing list of childhood shots that most parents never even question.

Congratulations, CDC. Move to the front of the parking lot. I believe you’re a strong contender to be named Merck’s employee of the year!

Sources: 
“Routine HPV vaccine recommended for boys” Shari Roan, Los Angeles Times, 10/25/11, latimes.com

“Where the Boys Are: Merck, Gardasil and HPV” Ed Silverman, Pharmalot, 10/25/11, pharmalot.com