The cost of preventing preterm labor is expected to increase in huge numbers anytime soon. The drug injected to women with high-risk pregnancies costs between $10 and $20 per dose. In just a few days, the price per dose will go up to as much as $1,500.

This drug is a kind of progesterone given weekly to prevent preterm labor and all its corresponding complications for both the mother and the child. For years, this drug was sold cheaply because they are mixed in pharmacies that are not approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs. Just recently, however, KV Pharmaceutical was approved by the government to exclusively manufacture and sell the drug.

Most obstetricians backed the decision as this can ensure quality control and easy-accessibility. None of the doctors, however, foresaw the dramatic increase in size considering that research and development were not shouldered solely by KV Pharmaceutical.

Most doctors fear that the drug’s price increase will rob many women of the opportunity to prevent premature births; especially those who are not covered by medical insurances and low-income mothers. Moreover, Massachusetts’ Medicaid deputy medical director Dr. Roger Snow said that this increase can cause a massive financial blow on health insurance companies and may push them to increase health insurance package costs.

KV Pharmaceutical stands firm in their decision as they believe that the cost of the drug is nothing compared to the cost of care for children born prematurely. On Tuesday, Ther-Rx Corporation (a KV subsidiary) announced that they will launch a patient assistance program that will offer the drug at a smaller cost for low-income women.