November 8, 2023 – The price of a breakthrough postpartum treatment shall be $15,900, in line with pharmaceutical company Sage Therapeutics told investors Tuesday.
The drug, developed jointly by Sage Therapeutics and Biogen, is named Zurzuvae approved from the FDA in August. Zurzuvae works faster than traditional antidepressants in treating depression symptoms. But due to high price, some experts worry that not everyone who needs the treatment will give you the option to get it.
As many as 1 in 8 mothers Have symptoms of postpartum depression, says the CDC. Postnatal depression could cause people to take into consideration harming their babies or themselves. Other symptoms include:
- Cry greater than usual
- Fear and worry
- Withdrawing from family members
- Feeling distant out of your baby
- Doubts about your ability to care in your baby
The devastating condition can occur before birth and has been linked to long-term health problems for the babies of affected moms. A 2018 study Published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children whose moms suffered from severe postpartum depression were more more likely to have behavioral problems at age 3½. They also had lower math grades and a better risk of depression in adolescence than children of moms who didn’t suffer from long-term severe postpartum depression.
An expert said CNN There is concern that Zurzuvae's approval has received a lot attention that it could be prescribed instead of other essential treatments, similar to therapy, which are sometimes enough to treat the condition.
“The gold standard of mental health care is a combination of psychotherapy and medication when medication is needed,” said Catherine Monk, PhD, chief of the Division of Women's Mental Health within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Zurzuvae, also known by the generic name zuranolone, is the primary oral medication used to treat postpartum depression. It is taken for 14 days and has been shown in study results to significantly reduce depression symptoms for at the very least 4 weeks. People taking zuranolone mustn’t drive for 12 hours after taking it because drowsiness and impairment may occur. Before the oral option, patients needed to receive zuranolone via an infusion at a healthcare facility.