Japan widened its evacuation zone surrounding the quake-hit nuclear power plant due to increased levels of radiation, which have had accumulated, as a strong aftershock hit the area on Monday, a month after the devastating incident occurred.

Tokyo and eastern part of Japan was shook with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on Monday evening, which then triggered a small tsunami alert. State television said the aftershock caused an off-site power supply for the damaged reactors to shut down.

Geological survey conducted by the United States said that the aftershock hit 38 kilometers (24 miles) west of the Iwaki city at a depth of 14 kilometers (8 miles).

Workers at Tokyo Electric Power Co had ceased pouring cooling waters on reactors no. 1, 2 and 3 at the Fukushima power plant.

Families living in towns and villages outside the 20 kilometer evacuation zone, where more radiation have had accumulated, would be evacuated, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano. He said hospitalized patients, children and pregnant women should avoid the area within 20-30 kilometers from the Fukushima complex.

Also, Edano said that the decision to expand the evacuation area was based on the data analyzed from the accumulated radiation exposure information. He said the evacuation precautions are meant to secure the safety of the people who might live in the area for 6 months to one year. However, it is not necessary to evacuate immediately, he added.

Previously, Japan did not agree to the proposed plans to extend the evacuation zone despite concerns from neighboring countries regarding the radiation that might spread from the damaged nuclear reactors at Fukushima.

All pregnant mothers will still have access to cheap drugs that will prevent premature birth said federal health officials, Wednesday.

Since the $1,500 version of this drug was approved, it was unclear whether or not pregnant women will still be allowed to buy from specialty pharmacies that sell the drug for an average of $15.

Many people, doctors and pregnant women alike, reacted negatively on the drastic price increase on the drug. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally said, Wednesday, that specialty pharmacies can continue to make cheaper versions of the drug that decreases the risk for preterm labor as they did for the past few years.

Many doctors welcomed the concept of the new drug because they said it can assure quality control of the drug. They were, however, shocked by the price; they simply did not see it coming. FDA said that they do not have the authority to control drug prices.

KV Pharmaceutical Co., the government-approved exclusive distribution of the drug insisted that the price of the drug is justified considering the costs of caring for a prematurely born child. They further said that they will make sure everyone who needs the drug will gain access to it. The pharmaceutical company will make a statement on drug pricing within the week.

One month ago, KV Pharmaceutical sent letters to other pharmacies creating and selling the drug for a lower price, warning them to shut down operations or else they will face the FDA. FDA initially backed this letter but did otherwise, Wednesday.

The department, however, realized how upset the public became after hearing about the 1,500 dollar drug. FDA said, Wednesday, that under this unique situation they will not take actions against pharmacies in order to ensure accessibility of the said drug.