UK fertility regulator launches rating system to warn of unproven fertility treatment add-ons

Fertility patients will have better information on whether “add-ons” treatments will improve their chances of having a baby, as the UK’s fertility regulator launches a new ratings system.

Patients are offered add-ons with the claim that they will increase the success of their treatment. However, the evidence to support this is often missing or not very reliable.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) add-ons ratings are hoped to help patients make better-informed decisions about their treatment.

The new ratings, developed with patients and professionals in the fertility sector, consist of five categories giving patients information about their chances of success and other outcomes, such as impact on miscarriage rates.

“The HFEA has raised concerns for many years about some clinics unnecessarily offering unproven treatments to patients,” said Professor Tim Child, HFEA authority member and chair of the HFEA scientific and clinical advances advisory committee.

“For defined patient groups, there are particular treatment add-ons that may be potentially beneficial, but we know that for the vast majority of patients, more rounds of proven treatment could be more effective.

“We have developed these ratings looking at all the evidence available and with input from clinicians, embryologists, scientists and patients. We strongly encourage patients to look at and use this information when talking to their clinics.”

Peter Thompson, HFEA chief executive, said: “People going through treatment are often spending a lot of money and want to have a baby as soon as possible and do everything they can to improve the chances of success. But when some add-ons cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds each, we want to make sure patients have the best available information.

“In line with the HFEA Code of Practice, clinics must give patients a clear idea of what any treatment add-on will involve, how likely it is to increase their chance of a successful pregnancy and how much it will cost, and link to the HFEA ratings system.”

As well as the new ratings, the HFEA has reaffirmed its agreement that add-ons without strong evidence of their safety and/or effectiveness should only be offered in a research setting.