After Fevered Response, Merck Stops (Some) Vaccine Lobbying

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The pharmaceutical company Merck, known for its aggressive marketing of the ill-fated drug Vioxx, will stop "lobbying state legislatures to require the use of its new cervical cancer vaccine," Gardasil. "At least 20 states are considering making [the vaccine] mandatory for schoolgirls, and the governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has already done so by executive order," prompting a backlash from "some parents, advocacy groups and public health experts." Merck started lobbying state officials "before federal regulators approved the product last year," including through the legislators' group Women in Government, which receives funding from Merck and other drug companies. Gardasil's high price and short track record caused concern, as did its role in combating a sexually-transmitted disease. Merck's Richard Haupt said the company will "continue to provide health officials and legislators with education about the vaccine and would continue to lobby for more financing for vaccines in general," but had judged its lobbying for "school requirements ... a distraction."