The in-vitro fertilization (IVF) industry is estimated to hit the Rs.80 billion mark by 2018 with a CAGR of 14 per cent with 20,000 clinics operating in the country. However there is no monitoring system in the country to regulate this mushrooming business.
Framed in 2010 and modified in 2014 the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, which aims to regulate surrogacy and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), has been pending for the last six years. Currently the non-binding guidelines from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) regulate the functioning of fertility clinics.
Poor sperm count in males and Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD) in females are some of the major causes of infertility among Indian population. Around 30 million people in reproductive age group are suffering from infertility problem in India. For curing infertility, three treatments, namely, Fertility Drugs, Surgery, and Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ARTs) including IUI, IVF, and ICSI (intra cytoplasmic sperm injection), are being adopted across the country.
In 2015, there were 100,000 IVF cycles, primarily used for treatment of infertility. The total demand for IVF cycles is expected to reach 260,000 by 2020 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20 per cent. One IVF cycle costs anywhere between Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.2.5 lakh and eight metros witness 55 per cent of treatments.
India has become one of the sought after destinations for infertility treatments such as IVF due to several factors including its medical expertise, state-of-the-art technology (which is at par with the best in the world), and a cost-effective health care system.
“With rising technological advancements, there has been a spurt in the success rate of the infertility treatments. However low awareness, high cost of treatment and lack of trust among patients are some of the factors acting to constrain growth of the IVF. There is no centralised monitoring body to regulate infertility treatment in India. Lack of rules and regulations in this field is a serious issue,” said noted gynecologist and fertility expert Dr Duru Shah.
The outcome of IVF treatment depends on doctors' experience, efficiency. IVF involves procedures of extracting eggs and sperm and making them fertilized in vitro and then implanting fertilized egg in a woman's uterus. The task is performed by a multidisciplinary team. There are ethical issues involved in the IVF treatment as we fertilize egg and sperm outside the body. At times some centres use donors' sperm to fertilize egg in case of low sperm count of the husband. They do so without taking consent of concerned person. Hence there should be a regulatory body which monitors operation of IVF clinics to curb unethical practices, said Dr Shah who is also scientific director of Gynaecworld and the Gynaecworld Assisted Fertility Center, Mumbai.
Its good to have a centralised system at par with UK to keep record of IVF clinics, kind of treatment offered to patients by the clinics, number of people opting for IVF, surrogacy to ensure better treatment outcome for patients and check malpractices, Dr Shah said.