Change in the law of the United Kingdom can reduce infertility tourism

One factor that can affect any aspect of medical travel and medical tourism is that the industry can be a victim of its own success. Constantine Constantinides highlighted this previously in his article IMTJ "medical tourism and revenge of the West", arguing that in fact the success of medical travel is self-limiting.

How can this success be self-limiting?

In the case of treatment abroad becomes an attractive option for patients, domestic suppliers and Governments can respond to this trend, becoming more competitive (e.g. by reducing prices to local treatment) or removing the causes and the drivers for the medical travel (for example, changing the location regualtion treatment). Thus, more patients travelling abroad for treatment, the greater the reaction in the internal market and a "balance of trade".

An excellent example of this phenomenon is this week's announcement by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that intends to undertake a consultation on changes to the rules governing the donation of sperm and ova in the United Kingdom. There was a significant shortage of egg and sperm donors in the United Kingdom due to restrictions in respect of payments that can be made to donors. The compensation payment "maximum" £ 250 for donors of men and women made the search for donor eggs and sperm has far exceeded supply. Waiting lists can be as long as two or three years for these patients eligible for NHS treatment.

Removal of donor anonymity has also been a contributing factor to the donor reluctance to come forward. According to the latest HFEA statistics (2008), women only 1184 have donated eggs and only had 396 new sperm donors in 2008. About 2.000 babies per year are born in the United Kingdom using donated eggs, sperm and embryos. As a result, we have seen a growing number of UK couples seeking infertility treatment abroad; has been one of the fastest growing areas of medical tourism. (Background, see "new research paper provides an overview of infertility tourism"). The HFEA's response to the growing number of infertile couples going abroad is therefore consider how to reduce this .... by increase payments and incentives to egg and sperm donors and thus increase the supply of eggs and sperm. Payments may increase more than £ 1000.

It is unlikely that changes will have any immediate effect on the market sector. No decision will be made until the end of the public consultation HFEA next year. The three-month public consultation will not start until January 2011 and HFEA is expected to be included in Commission of Quality Care in the United Kingdom as a result of public spending cuts to UK. But there is a clear warning here for those involved in medical tourism and travel medicine sector. Don't put all eggs in one basket. Or, even worse, be aware that any segment of the market desk doctor may be limited by their own success when domestic suppliers and Governments seek to reverse the trend.

New research paper provides insight into infertility tourism

A recent work presented at the annual meeting of the European society of human reproduction and Embryology in Rome highlights the growth of tourism of infertility "at a time when many medical tourism companies are feeling the pinch of the recession.

The article, "Cross border reproductive care in six European countries" provides a review of tourism of infertility entry for six European countries receiving patients-Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. Data were collected from 46 centres in these countries. Patients came from 49 different countries, but nearly two-thirds came form only four countries-Italy (31.8%), Germany (14.4%), Netherlands (12.1%) and France (8.7%).

Drivers of tourism of infertility
Because these are infertile couples crossing borders for infertility treatment? This varies from country to country, but the main driver is the law on infertility treatments within the country of origin. This is the main reason for patients coming from Italy, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden. Italian law banned sperm donation in 2004. German law prohibits the egg donation. in France, assisted conception for single women or same-sex couples is illegal and there is a ban on advertising for egg donors. Regulation concerning anonymity of donor affect Scandinavian and British patients; some countries have regulations that limit the reimbursement design assisted the maximum age ... some countries have legal limits on the amount which can be paid to donors, thereby reducing the availability of eggs and sperm.

Difficulties in accessing treatment at home was a driver for a third of patients UK, and a desire to donate "anonymous" was expressed by approximately one in five patients.
There are also some specific indications between streams: Italians for Switzerland and Spain, the Germans prefer the Czech Republic, the Dutch and French opt for Belgium.
18.3% of patients were searching semen donation, 22.8% to donate eggs and 3.4% for embryo donation.

Market opportunity for medical tourism companies?
The study estimates that "a minimum estimated 11 000 – 14 000 patients per year" visits of six countries in the study. can also be much larger than that.

If you're in the business of medical tourism, download the document. is a useful vision about opportunities in tourism, the infertility and the type of clients seeking ... What should be a considerable influence on their marketing. Understanding your market is crucial to the success of any business of medical tourism. For example, the Internet was a frequent source of information on infertility treatment abroad in Sweden (73.6%), Germany (65.0%) and United Kingdom (58.5%).

So, this is good news for my business that a search of Google UK "infertility treatment abroad" brings treatment abroad in number 1 and our other sites in positions 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10 on the results of the top ten Google Web Publishing UK healthcare!