ANF highlights the role of pharmacies in HPV prevention at the European Parliament

Portugal stands out among the best-performing European countries in HPV prevention, according to the new HPV Prevention Policy Atlas developed by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights (EPF). The report was presented at the European Parliament on April 21st during the event “Eliminating HPV-related cancers in Europe: gaps, progress and the way forward”, which included the participation of ANF.

During the panel “Expanding HPV vaccination: the role of pharmacies in Portugal”, Maria Mendes, from Cientis, emphasized the central importance of prevention in combating HPV. «Vaccination is one of the most impactful public health interventions, and community pharmacies can make a difference through their proximity, trust, and frequent contact with the population», she stated.

Maria Mendes also highlighted the recent update to Portugal’s national HPV vaccination strategy, which expanded eligibility up to the age of 26 for unvaccinated young adults. However, she warned that there are still people outside the National Vaccination Programme (PNV) groups who could benefit from vaccination, namely young adults over 26 and individuals with limited access to preventive healthcare services.

According to her, the expansion of public policies must translate into greater awareness, uptake, and effective access, and pharmacies play a strategic role in this process. Maria Mendes also highlighted health literacy promotion, the identification of vaccination opportunities, and pharmacies’ well-established experience in vaccine administration as key advantages.

HPV is a highly prevalent and often asymptomatic infection associated with a significant disease burden. According to EPF data, it is responsible for around 100,000 new cancer cases in Europe every year, with cervical cancer being the most common. Most of these cancers are preventable.

The event, organized by the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and the EPF, included the participation of Members of the European Parliament Romana Jerković and Tilly Metz.