• DOI:10.1783/147118906775275073
• Corpus ID: 29406359

Long-acting reversible contraceptives: not only effective, but also a cost-effective option for the National Health Service

@article{Mavranezouli2006LongactingRC,
  title={Long-acting reversible contraceptives: not only effective, but also a cost-effective option for the National Health Service},
  author={Ifigeneia Mavranezouli and Christopher L Wilkinson},
  journal={Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care},
  year={2006},
  volume={32},
  pages={3 - 5}
}

• I. Mavranezouli, C. Wilkinson
• Published 1 January 2006
• Medicine
• Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on long-acting reversible contraception was published recently. The key themes of the guideline are: choice through better access and information; safety through clinical guidance and training for health care professionals; and cost effectiveness. It is this last aspect that we address in this commentary. While NICE guidance is applicable to England and Wales some aspects of it may be relevant to the provision of care and practice in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are among the most effective contraceptive methods. Unlike widely used methods such as the combined oral contraceptive pill (COC) and barrier methods the effectiveness of LARC is less dependent on users compliance/correct use of a method. This property makes LARC suitable in terms of contraceptive protection for certain subgroups of the population such as adolescents or women with no established regular routine who have been shown to comply poorly with commonly used contraceptive methods. (excerpt)