Max-Planck-Institut für Innovation und Wettbewerb, München, Raum 313
Abstract:
Generic penetration in the U.S. pharmaceutical market has increased, providing significant gains in consumer surplus. What impact has this had on the rate and direction of pharmaceutical innovation? While the overall level of drug development activity has increased, our estimates suggest a sizable, robust, negative relationship between rising generic penetration and early-stage pharmaceutical innovation in the same therapeutic areas. We also find that increasing generic penetration induces firms to shift their R&D activity towards more biologic-based products and away from chemical-based products. We conclude by discussing potential implications of our results for long-run welfare, policy, and innovation.
Ansprechpartnerin: Zhaoxin Pu