Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8877
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
Schicke RK.
The pharmaceutical market and prescription drugs in the Federal Republic of Germany: cross-national comparisons.
Int J Health Serv 1973 Spr; 3:(2):223-36
Abstract:
Comparisons between the Federal Republic of Germany and other nations regarding pharmaceutical markets, prescription drug costs and consumption characteristics are presented. It was found that the pharmaceutical market is both limited by an inherently oligopolistic supply structure and modified by physician prescribing habits. The distribution system shows a tendency to supplier administered prices owing to a noncompetitive retail structure. High drug consumption levels may be partly attributable to higher levels of morbidity and demand for physician services in Germany compared with other countries. International expenditure data may be misleading due to the product price differences found in different nations.
Keywords:
Costs and Cost Analysis
Drug Industry*
Drug Utilization
Economics
Fees, Pharmaceutical*
Germany, West
Health Expenditures
Humans
Insurance, Health
Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services
Legislation, Drug
Prescriptions, Drug*
Professional Practice
Quality Control
Socioeconomic Factors
Substance-Related Disorders
