Drug firms willing to defer cancer vaccine fees

PHARMACEUTICAL companies providing vaccines for cervical cancer are willing to renegotiate the fee they charge the Government, or defer any charge, the Dáil heard last night.

Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly, said the Government should take up this offer and reverse the decision not to go ahead with plans to vaccinate 12-year-old girls next year.

Health Minister Mary Harney announced last week the vaccination would not go ahead because of funding shortages.