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Price competition in pharmaceuticals – Evidence from 1303 Swedish markets

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  • Granlund, David
  • Bergman, Mats A.

Abstract

We study the short- and long-term price effects of the number of competing firms, using panel-data on 1303 distinct pharmaceutical markets for 78 months within a reference-price system. We use actual transaction prices in an institutional setting with little scope for non-price competition and where simultaneity problems can be addressed effectively. In the long term, the price of generics is found to decrease by 81% when the number of firms selling generics with the same strength, form and similar package size is increased from 1 to 10. Nearly only competition at this fine-grained level matters; the effect of firms selling other products with the same active substance, but with different package size, form, or strength, is only a tenths as large. Half of the price reductions take place immediately and 70% within three months. Also, prices of originals are found to react to competition, but far less and much slower.

Suggested Citation

  • Granlund, David & Bergman, Mats A., 2018. "Price competition in pharmaceuticals – Evidence from 1303 Swedish markets," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1-12.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:61:y:2018:i:c:p:1-12
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.06.009
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    Cited by:

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    2. Frank R. Lichtenberg, 2021. "Are drug prices subject to creative destruction? Evidence from the US, 1997–2017," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(8), pages 1910-1932, August.
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    4. Frank R. Lichtenberg, 2022. "The effects of dynamic and static competition on prescription drug prices in Denmark, 1997–2017," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 1155-1173, September.
    5. David Granlund, 2022. "The Price Effects of Competition from Parallel Imports and Therapeutic Alternatives: Using Dynamic Models to Estimate the Causal Effect on the Extensive and Intensive Margins," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 60(1), pages 63-92, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Price competition; Dynamic; Adjustment; Pharmaceutical industry; Generic drugs; Brand-name drugs; Reference price; Generic substitution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D40 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - General
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L65 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics

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