Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To estimate cost savings from emergency contraceptive pills in Canada.
METHODS
We modeled cost savings when a single emergency contraceptive treatment was provided after unprotected intercourse and when women were provided emergency contraceptive pills in advance.
RESULTS
Each dollar spent on a single treatment saved $1.19--$2.35 (in Canadian currency), depending on the regimen and on assumptions about savings from costs avoided by preventing mistimed births. The dedicated products Preven (Shire Canada, Inc., Oakville, Ontario) and Plan B (Paladin Labs, Inc., Montreal) were cost-saving even under the least favorable assumption that mistimed births prevented today occur 2 years later. Each dollar spent on advance provision of Preven saved $1.24--$12.23, depending on the regular contraception method, on how consistently emergency contraception was used when needed, and on whether mistimed births were averted forever or simply delayed. Plan B was almost always cost-saving, although less so.
CONCLUSION
Emergency contraception was cost-saving whether provided when the emergency occurred or in advance to be used as needed. More extensive use of emergency contraception could save considerable medical costs by reducing unintended pregnancies.
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