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Private and Social Returns to R&D: Drug Development and Demographics

Author

Listed:
  • Efraim Benmelech
  • Janice C. Eberly
  • Joshua L. Krieger
  • Dimitris Papanikolaou

Abstract

Investment in intangible capital—in particular, research and development—increased dramatically since the 1990s. However, productivity growth remains sluggish in recent years. One potential reason is that a significant share of the increase in intangible investment is geared toward consumer products such as pharmaceutical drugs with limited spillovers to productivity. We document that a significant share of R&D spending in the U.S. is done by pharmaceutical firms and is geared to developing drugs for the older patients. Increased life expectancy and quality of life among the elderly increases welfare but may not be reflected in estimates of total factor productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Efraim Benmelech & Janice C. Eberly & Joshua L. Krieger & Dimitris Papanikolaou, 2021. "Private and Social Returns to R&D: Drug Development and Demographics," NBER Working Papers 28355, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:28355
    Note: CF EFG EH PR
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    Cited by:

    1. Faraz Salehi & S. Mohammad J. Mirzapour Al-E-Hashem & S. Mohammad Moattar Husseini & S. Hassan Ghodsypour, 2023. "A bi-level multi-follower optimization model for R&D project portfolio: an application to a pharmaceutical holding company," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 323(1), pages 331-360, April.
    2. Li, Xuelin & Liu, Tong & Taylor, Lucian A., 2023. "Common ownership and innovation efficiency," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(3), pages 475-497.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • L65 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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