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Role of Pharmacists in Generic Pharmaceutical Adoption

Author

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  • Haruo Kakehi

    (Graduate School of Economics, Keio University)

  • Ryo Nakajima

    (Faculty of Economics)

Abstract

This study shows how consumers’ brand preferences are related to professional experts’ behavior by investigating the role of pharmacists. Although the literature suggests that consumers are more willing to pay for brand-name products, our data reveal a puzzling scenario: some patients continue to choose nonbrand generic alternatives even when a brand-identical option (authorized generic) is available at the same price. We model both patients’ demand and pharmacies’ drug adoption decisions and demonstrate substantial variation in brand preferences across pharmacies using Japanese pharmacists’ dispensing data. Furthermore, our results indicate that differences in pharmacists’ medical management are important in shaping these preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Haruo Kakehi & Ryo Nakajima, 2025. "Role of Pharmacists in Generic Pharmaceutical Adoption," Keio-IES Discussion Paper Series 2025-001, Institute for Economics Studies, Keio University.
  • Handle: RePEc:keo:dpaper:2025-001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Juan Pablo Atal & José Ignacio Cuesta & Felipe González & Cristóbal Otero, 2024. "The Economics of the Public Option: Evidence from Local Pharmaceutical Markets," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 114(3), pages 615-644, March.
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    3. Bart J. Bronnenberg & Jean-Pierre Dubé & Matthew Gentzkow & Jesse M. Shapiro, 2015. "Do Pharmacists Buy Bayer? Informed Shoppers and the Brand Premium," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 130(4), pages 1669-1726.
    4. Silvia Appelt, 2015. "Authorized Generic Entry prior to Patent Expiry: Reassessing Incentives for Independent Generic Entry," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 97(3), pages 654-666, July.
    5. Lemieux, Thomas, 1998. "Estimating the Effects of Unions on Wage Inequality in a Panel Data Model with Comparative Advantage and Nonrandom Selection," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 16(2), pages 261-291, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Authorized generic; Brand premiums; Generic pharmaceuticals; Pharmacist behavior; Medical management;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • L65 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics

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