Review Article

Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy and Postpartum: Pathophysiology and Effect of Oral versus Intravenous Iron Therapy

Table 2

Comparison of costs of different oral and IV iron preparations.

Product Scientific nameRoute ofElemental iron/ Approximate cost
/manufactureradministrationrecommended dose

Ferro-Liquid (AFT Pharmaceuticals)Ferrous sulphateOral liquid 250 mL (30 mg/5 mL)90 mg/15 mL/day$19.35 per bottle
Total cost per pregnancy $309

Ferro-Tab (AFT Pharmaceuticals)Ferrous fumarate200 mgOral tablet 60 tabs67.5 mg/day$11.62 per package
Cost per tablet $0.2
Total cost per pregnancy $54

FGF (Abbott)Ferrous sulfate 250 mg (+ folic acid)Oral tablet 30 tabs80 mg/day$7 per package
Cost per tablet $0.23
Total cost per pregnancy $62

Fefol (Pharmacare Laboratories)Ferrous sulfate 270 mg (+ folic acid)Oral tablet 30 tabs87 mg/day$9.95 per package
Cost per tablet $0.33
Total cost per pregnancy $89

Ferro-F-Tab (AFT Pharmaceuticals)Ferrous fumarate 310 mg (+ folic acid)Oral tablet 60 tabs100 mg/day$12.79 per package
Cost per tablet $0.21
Total cost per pregnancy $57

Ferrograd C (Abbott)Ferrous sulfate 325 mgOral tablet 30 tabs105 mg/day$8.16 per package
Cost per tablet $0.27
Total cost per pregnancy $73

Ferro-gradumet (Abbott)Ferrous sulfate 325 mgOral tablet 30 tabs105 mg/day$6.56 per package
Cost per tablet $0.21
Total cost per pregnancy $57

Intravenous iron

Ferrum-H (Vifor Pharma Pty Ltd)Iron polymaltoseIV 100 mg ampule
package 5 amps
No maximum (Max) dose at a single administration$49.57 for 5 × 100 mg

Ferrosig (Sigma Pharmaceuticals)Iron polymaltose 100 mg ampouleIV 100 mg ampoule
package 5 amps
No max dose at a single administration$49.57 for 5 × 100 mg

Venofer (Aspen Pharmacare)Iron sucroseIV 100 mg ampule
package 5 amps
Max single dose 300 mg$139.48 for 5 × 100 mg

Ferinject (Vifor)Ferric carboxymaltoseIV 100 mg and 500 mg ampulesMax single dose 1000 mg100 mg: $35/vial
500 mg: $136/vial

MonoFer, (Pharmacosmos)Iron isomaltosideIV 100 mg ampuleNo max dose at a single administrationNot available

Feraheme, (AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)FerumoxytolIV 100 mg ampuleMax single dose 510 mgNot available

Cost is based on Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) listing price in Australia in AUD which is equivalent to USD (1:1) at the time of analysis. However the prices are only approximate as there is considerable variability depending on purchasing situation or country of origin.