According to MSNBC, a drug preventing preterm labor is about to have a major price change that could negatively impact pregnant women at risk of going into labor too early. KV Pharmaceutical received government approval to be an exclusive seller of the drug Makena. The change prompted the company to skyrocket the price, from $10 per injection to $1500 per injection. Pregnant women at risk of preterm labor may start the drug early in the pregnancy, which means the total cost during a pregnancy could be as much as $30,000 for Makena shots.
The March of Dimes and many medical experts supported KV Pharmaceuticals attempts at getting exclusive government approval. The groups believed it would help with quality and availability of the medication. However, no one suspected that such a major price change would take effect.
Some medical experts and patient-safety advocates fear this drastic new price will have a negative impact on low income families and may lead to an increase in preterm births, instead of helping families avoid the mental and physical disabilities that can come with very premature births. The cost of a newborn preemie baby is estimated at $51,000 during the first year alone. Other concerns are that some insurance companies will not be able to cover Makena or will raise premiums. Perhaps, the state run Medicare programs will drop the preterm labor drug and choose not to cover the outrageous new costs. Many pregnant women depend on Medicare programs, denying to pay for an important prenatal drug could significantly increase preterm births, instead of preventing them.
