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Price dynamics of Swedish pharmaceuticals

Author

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  • Aljoscha Janssen

    (Singapore Management University
    Institutet för Näringslivsforskning)

Abstract

This paper investigates price patterns of off-patent pharmaceuticals in Sweden. I show that price dynamics are dependent on the number of competitors in the market. The price patterns follow predictions from a model of dynamic price competition in which the demand for pharmaceuticals incorporates the known biases of consumers: habit persistence and brand preferences. Using the regulated market of Swedish pharmaceuticals, I show that price dynamics may help in identifying possible tacit collusion by manufacturers in markets where consumers experience behavioral frictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Aljoscha Janssen, 2022. "Price dynamics of Swedish pharmaceuticals," Quantitative Marketing and Economics (QME), Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 313-351, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:qmktec:v:20:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s11129-022-09257-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11129-022-09257-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Janssen, Aljoscha & Granlund, David, 2023. "The importance of the first generic substitution: Evidence from Sweden," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 1-25.
    2. Granlund, David & Rudholm, Niklas, 2023. "Calculating the probability of collusion based on observed price patterns," Umeå Economic Studies 1014, Umeå University, Department of Economics, revised 13 Oct 2023.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pharmaceutical pricing; Dynamic oligopoly; State dependence; Price cycles;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L40 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - General

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