What is the status on Makena/compounded P17?

LittleD8081

For those who don't know me...  My first son was premature (34w 5d), so during my second pregnancy I got progesterone shots to help me carry him to full term.  It worked and I gave birth at 38w 1d.  During my pregnancy, though, this whole big thing with Makena costing $1500 per injection came to be.  It was a hot topic back then (Spring of 2011).  I was able to get my pharmacy to compound enough of the medication to get me through my pregnancy at the $50 per vial cost so that the Makena business wouldn't affect me.  But, now...I'm wondering what is going on with it and what the status is.  We are not considering having a third baby for a while yet...but, it is in our future, so it just got me thinking.  Can you weigh in if you are currently getting the shots or if you know what's going on with this?  TIA.

OscarQ

The last I heard they backed down and are allowing pharmacies to compound it again.

BritanyV

This is all new to me, but OMG that would be incredibly ridiculous cost per shot!   My dr told us we may try the injections if we decide to try for a 3rd.    No way could we afford that much.  I will definitely look into it when we start talking about TTC again, that could be a deciding factor.  Obviously not thinking about it anytime soon though!  lol  

KatFCo

I'm currently taking 17p made by a compounding pharmacy. We're still not sure if our insurance will pay for it (just switched insurances at 23 weeks). I pay about $78 for 4 vials and needles (a friend gives me the injection to avoid dr's office injection fee). Previous insurance paid for it; this insurance might not, because they include Makena under "covered" medications. We may decide to pay out of pocket because the copay might still be more than the cost of the compound.

What happened when the company set the price so high is that the FDA, which normally has a "cease and desist" policy for all new FDA-approved drugs for 7 years (which means no one but that company can make it), announced that it was not going to be prosecuting anyone for continuing to make the compound.

If you did need it, you may have trouble finding a pharmacy to make it, but legally, they are still allowed to.

jcsntms06

Hi There! Miss you ladies who use to post on the board. Definitely check in more often.

I'm currently on the 17p shots and I get the compounded instead of the Mekena. My insurance would only pay for part of the compounded. I pay $25 per vital (last about 5-6 shots). I take that to my doctors office and they inject the meds. I could no way afford the $1500, but I'm happy to say my insurance company and doctor really worked together to help me be able to afford the compounded.