Drug to prevent premature births jumps in price from $10 to $1500

[karadinart]

The drug known as Makena has been produced for years, yet KY Pharmacutical recently purchased the rights to the drug, a move which was supported by the March of Dimes because they considered the quality of the drug would be consistent and easier to get - however, once the Food and Drug Administration in the US grants patents to a drug, they have no control over the price the manufacturer will set.

It's blatant greed, there is no research and development to pay for, the testings been done, in fact, there are other versions of the drug from other companies but KY Pharmacutical is threatening to sue them.

The manufacturer now states that the new high cost is justifiable - after all, its less expensive then caring for a premature infant! (GRRR.)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/03/09/health/AP-US-MED-Premature-Birth-Drug.html?_r=1&ref=aponline

Comments

[frodobaggins252.livejournal.com]

I want to know just who decided it was time to declare open war on women in this country? I also think it's time to fight back -- if no other way but to encourage a Lysistrata-type revolt -- anyone who's proposed any of this idiot legislation/voted for it/made bonehead moves like this one should also be unable to get ANY services (hair cuts, food at a restaurant, seating on a plane, their kids taught and given school services, doctoring, nurse services, ANYTHING) provided by a woman.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

If the government (who develop these drugs) decide to give patents to private companies, there needs to be a stipulation that they can only charge x for the drug.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

... if one wrote a story where an executive decided to do something like this, people would call it unrealistic and over the top. I am astonished with horror.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

I hope this gets the press it deserves and a few laws are changed.

[akiyoshie.livejournal.com]

I read this sometime last week, and all I could say is "WTF is this, I don't even...." I mean seriously, they are threatening the lives of children for a quick buck, and everybody doesn't have this kind of money, and I doubt Healthcare would cover such outrageous prices. Whoever thought this was a brilliant idea should be tortured and shot.

[ardwynna-m.livejournal.com]

Forget making that drug a viable option for us little 'third-worlders'. Women don't matter, poor women matter even less and poor women who might also have the OMG!melanin are breeding more than they should already, donchaknow.

[lilymoon1.livejournal.com]

Things like this piss me off so *much*. I would have given anything to have had this drug available before the premature birth of my first son. Maybe I wouldn't have had the pain of losing him the next day.

Again, I would have given anything to have had this drug available before the premature birth of my second son. Maybe I wouldn't have had the anguish of yet another premature birth and the terror filled months that followed of my tiny baby boy in the intensive care nursery.

KY Pharm, screw you for your greed!

[karadin.livejournal.com]

It's so heiniously corrupt, but it will stay that way until we get for-profit companies out of health care.

[impressioniste.livejournal.com]

It's fucking disgusting is what it is.