Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of carbetocin for the prevention of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery in Ecuador

Aim: To compare the cost of carbetocin with that of oxytocin for the prevention and management of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery in Ecuador. Materials & methods: We developed a decision tree based cost–effectiveness model to compare carbetocin with oxytocin in the prevention of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery in Ecuador. Our model was run from a third party payer perspective and was validated by local experts in the field. The efficacy of the interventions was determined based on a systematic review of the literature. Direct costs were calculated based on current National Health Service price lists and retail price. Since the period covered by the analysis was 1 year, costs and health effects were not discounted. Results: The difference in costs between the interventions was US$16.26, with a difference in effectiveness of 0.0067 disability adjusted life years averted. The incremental cost–effectiveness ratio for carbetocin compared with oxytocin for prevention of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery was US$2432.89 per disability adjusted life year averted. Conclusion: Carbetocin is as efficacious and safe as oxytocin for primary prevention of hemorrhage in cesarean delivery in Ecuador. It is highly cost effective for reducing the need for additional uterotonic drugs in both emergency and elective cesarean delivery.