Health Care Management Papers
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
12-2013
Publication Source
The Economists' Voice
Volume
10
Issue
1
Start Page
39
Last Page
43
DOI
10.1515/ev-2013-0027
Abstract
The high price of some cancer drugs has recently come under attack by the medical profession. We examine the reasons behind the pricing strategies of cancer drugs. On the one hand, prices should reflect value and research demonstrates that the health benefits from novel cancer drugs have been enormous in terms of additional years of life patients can now enjoy. This provides some justification for the high price tag of these drugs. On the other hand, drug pricing is also a product of a hidebound reimbursement system that does a poor job in letting prices adjust to new information about value. Regulators set thresholds for cost-effectiveness, which establishes not only a price ceiling but also a price floor. Manufacturers often price drugs high at launch in efforts to recoup their initial investment, but a more efficient system would allow prices to both rise and fall over time. Removing distortions in the reimbursement system is crucial to ensuring continued success in saving lives.
Keywords
health, prescription drugs, pricing, value
Recommended Citation
Goldman, D. P., Leive, A., & Lakdawalla, D. (2013). Want More Value From Prescription Drugs? We Need to Let Prices Rise and Fall. The Economists' Voice, 10 (1), 39-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ev-2013-0027
Included in
Finance and Financial Management Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Insurance Commons, Marketing Commons, Other Business Commons, Other Public Health Commons
Date Posted: 27 November 2017