U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown working to reduce price of drug for pregnant moms

YOUNGSTOWN — Pregnant mothers and their premature babies will ultimately pay the health price because they may not be able to afford the medicine that prevents premature births, a U.S. senator and local health officials say.

The progesterone-based medicine (hormone) that used to cost $10 to $20 an injection now costs $1,500.

The usual prescription is one dose per week for 20 weeks, said Dr. Oscar Khawli, who treats high-risk pregnancies at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Cerebral palsy and other birth defects such as learning disabilities are an increased danger in premature births, Dr. Khawli said.

A medicine that previously cost between $200 and $400 per pregnancy is now about $30,000, said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who is attempting to force KV Pharmaceuticals, which has FDA approval to exclusively market the medicine named Makena, to lower the price.

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