IVF (in-vitro fertilisation): the need to evaluate value for money

This paper reviews literature from an economic viewpoint concerning the costs and benefits of the in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) program in assisting reproduction. A number of economic studies that have been carried out in Australia and elsewhere are documented. These studies have tended to adopt a narrow definition of outcome of treatments concentrating solely upon the birth of an infant. However, such an outcome occurs in only a minority of cases and the most likely outcome is the failure to have a child. It is argued that an accurate representation of outcomes of treatment should include the psychological and health effects experienced by all couples who participate in the program, not only those who are successful in achieving conception.