Modelling costs and outcomes of expanded availability of emergency contraceptive use in British Columbia.

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) can potentially reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions. However, these agents are underused due to lack of awareness and barriers to utilization. While earlier economic evaluations have indicated that use of EC is potentially cost-effective, recent evidence of a lower risk of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse than previously reported suggest prior studies may have over-estimated cost savings.

Objectives: To model cost savings and pregnancy-related outcomes associated with the policy change authorizing pharmacist provision of EC in British Columbia, and to estimate the costs of initiatives to further women's awareness and utilization of EC that would result.

Methods: Three decision analytic models were developed evaluating current EC utilization (physician-only), EC utilization following pharmacist provision and potential expanded EC awareness and utilization following a public awareness initiative. Models were developed from the Ministry of Health perspective for 2001 using cost and event data from the Ministry supplemented by data from the literature.

Results: Current EC utilization saved the Ministry $2.20 million (95% CR: $0.15 million, $4.90 million) in medical costs the first year, and incremental savings from pharmacist provision was $0.64 million (95% CR: $0.24 million, $1.28 million). A public awareness initiative costing less than $2.57 million (95% CR: $0.22 million, $5.75 million) annually is potentially cost saving.

Conclusions: Pharmacist provision of EC was cost saving to the Ministry, even when the estimated risk of pregnancy in the population is less than assumed in previous studies. Increasing EC availability directly from pharmacists and increasing EC awareness have the potential to reduce health care costs.