Cost-effectiveness and contraceptive effectiveness of the transdermal contraceptive patch
Frank A Sonnenberg1, Ronald T Burkman, Leon Speroff
1University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. sonnenbe@umdnj.edu
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine implications of increased perfect use on the cost-effectiveness of the contraceptive patch compared with combination oral contraceptives (COCs).
Study Design:
This study compared the patch with low-estrogen-dose COCs. It assumes that the risks of developing a medical condition during use are the same for both the patch and COCs. Differences in net cost and pregnancies avoided during use were modeled. With the use of a pharmacoeconomic model, both methods were compared with a hypothetical reference case of contraception nonuse. The base-case model considered women, ages 15 to 50, in average health in a long-term, mutually monogamous, heterosexual relationship.
Results:
The base-case analysis showed that use of the patch resulted in a savings of 249 US dollars and 0.03 pregnancies per woman over 2 years compared with COCs.
Conclusion:
This analysis demonstrated that patch use would be cost saving compared with COC use, resulting in a net avoidance of pregnancy for this population. The cost savings are attributed to reduced costs of pregnancy.
Related Concept Videos
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Birth Control Methods
Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
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Bioequivalence: Overview
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Influencing Factors

