McHardy, J.P., van Hout, B. and Tsuchiya, A. (2015) Patent Purchase as a Policy for Pharmaceuticals. Working Paper. The Sheffield Economic Research Paper Series (SERPS) . Department of Economics, University of Sheffield ISSN 1749-8368
Abstract
We consider a proposal for pharmaceutical patenting policy: namely, for society to grant and purchase the patent of the first of a new class of drug, instead of purchasing the drug, and award no further patents to runner-up drugs, producing or licensing production with price set to maximise welfare subject to cover costs. It is often observed that when the first of a new class of drugs is patented, it does not necessarily halt the development of a second and a third drug of the same class. The result may be a number of rugs with similar efficacy at similar prices well above the production costs. Where this happens, society could substantially reduce the cost of duplicated R&D and the price of the drug by buying the first patent. This would benefit more patients and produce larger health gains. Under this policy social welfare is increased, the winner is fully compensated, while the runner-up firm incurs possible losses - but there are viable conditions under which firms would not lose on average. We take a drug life-cycle approach to the welfare gains of a patent purchase policy. The results are generated based upon a number of stylised facts regarding R&D in the pharmaceutical industry.
Metadata
Item Type: | Monograph |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | The Sheffield Economic Research Paper Series (SERPS) offers a forum for the research output of the Department of Economics, University of Sheffield. Papers are reviewed for quality and presentation by two internal referees and a departmental editor. However, the contents and opinions expressed remain the responsibility of the author(s). Comments are welcomed and should be addressed to the individual author(s). |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Economics (Sheffield) > Sheffield Economics Research Papers Series |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 13 Apr 2015 14:41 |
Last Modified: | 13 Apr 2015 14:41 |
Published Version: | http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/economics/research/serp... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Department of Economics, University of Sheffield |
Series Name: | The Sheffield Economic Research Paper Series (SERPS) |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:84932 |