Background: Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a novel form of emergency contraception (EC) that appears to be more effective than the prevailing method, single-dose levonorgestrel (LNG). This study examines the cost-efficacy of UPA compared with LNG.
Study design: A decision-analytic model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness of UPA versus LNG in preventing unintended pregnancy when taken within 120 h of unprotected intercourse. Univariate and bivariate sensitivity analyses, as well as Monte Carlo simulation and threshold analyses, were performed.
Results: Utilizing UPA instead of LNG would result in 37,589 fewer unintended pregnancies per 4,176,572 estimated US annual EC uses (UPA 54,295 pregnancies; LNG 91,884 pregnancies) and a societal savings of $116.3 million annually. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curve analyses suggest a 96% probability that UPA is more cost-effective at a willingness to pay $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year.
Conclusions: UPA is cost-effective in preventing unintended pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Efforts should be promoted to increase access to UPA.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.