Deductibles and the Demand for Prescription Drugs: Evidence from French Data

Marc Perronnin () and Bidénam Kambia-Chopin
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Marc Perronnin: IRDES Institute for research and information in health economics

No DT54, Working Papers from IRDES institut for research and information in health economics

Abstract: On January 1st 2008, a 0.5€ deductible levied on every prescription drug package purchased was introduced in France. This study aims at shedding light on the effect of this policy on prescription drug purchasing behavior among the targeted individuals. Declared behavior from a cross-sectional study based on participants in the French Health, Health Care and Insurance Survey of 2008. The determinants of having changed one’s prescription drugs consumption following the introduction of deductibles were explored based on the socio-behavioral model of Andersen and an economic model of drug demand. The empirical analysis used a logistic regression. All other factors being equal, individuals’ probability of having modified their drug consumption behaviour following the introduction of deductibles decreases with income level and health status (self-assessed health and suffering from a chronic disease). Deductibles on prescription drugs represent a significant financial burden for low-income individuals and those in poor health, with the potential effect of limiting their access to drugs.

Keywords: User fees; Out-of-pocket payment; Prescription drugs; Financial access; France (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D81 I13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20 pages
Date: 2013-02, Revised 2013-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur, nep-hea and nep-ias
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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