LAHORE: Pakistan has achieved a breakthrough by developing its first vaccine to prevent breast cancer, the News reported on Monday.

The vaccine has been created by the Institute of Public Health, Punjab to protect women from breast cancer. Officials have also started policy talks on producing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which experts believe could become a milestone in Pakistan’s healthcare system.

Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja praised the development, saying the provincial government is focusing strongly on improving healthcare. He called the Papilloma vaccine by the Institute of Public Health a remarkable step forward.

Renowned medical expert Professor Dr. Javed Akram said the vaccine can protect girls from breast cancer if given at the right age. He explained that three doses, administered to girls around 12 years old, could provide lifelong protection against the disease.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new breast cancer drug developed by AstraZeneca and its Japanese partner Daiichi Sankyo. Branded as Datroway, the drug will be available within two weeks.

Unlike chemotherapy, Datroway belongs to a new class of medicines called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), also known as “guided missiles,” because they attack only cancer cells while leaving healthy cells safe. AstraZeneca said the list price for each vial is $4,891.07.

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