Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8454

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Williams P.
Cost of tranquilizers
Social Science and Medicine 1982; 16:(22):1955-1958

Abstract:

The variables associated with the cost of tranquilizers in England were presented. During 1966-1971, the price of tranquilizers was relatively stable, and changes in the total cost were found to be due almost entirely to increases in prescribing. During 1972-1977, the price of tranquilizers was subject to large changes, for two reasons. First, inflation, represented here by the index of wholesale prices of pharmaceutical preparations, and secondly, a reduction in the price of diazepam and chlordiazepoxide as a result of the Monopolies Commission inquiry. These changes had a dramatic effect on the total cost of tranquilizers, to the extent that the effect of variations in prescribing becomes negligible. The findings suggest that any debate on drug cost should acknowledge the effect of pharmaceutical industry pricing policy and inflation, as well as consider the prescribing behavior of doctors.