Assisted reproduction laboratory cost-drivers in South Africa: value, virtue and validity

An overview is given on selected cost-drivers within an assisted reproduction technology (ART) laboratory, such as procedural costs; sperm preparations; laboratory supplies including embryo culture media and cryopreservation. Depending on the nature of an ART unit, i.e. private vs. public/tertiary, the structure of the unit will differ with regards to costs, services offered, and general patient population. ART laboratory equipment, culture media and disposables are imported from various parts of the world to South Africa. Costs will be influenced by the choice of ART diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, disposables and devices, whereby laboratory costs can escalate to near 50% of ART fees payable in the private sector. The ultimate goal of an ART treatment should be to achieve a healthy singleton as cost effectively as possible, especially in a developing country.