Side Effects of Competition: the Role of Advertising and Promotion in Pharmaceutical Markets

Guy David and Sara Markowitz

No 17162, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: The extent of pharmaceutical advertising and promotion can be characterized by a balancing act between profitable demand expansions and potentially unfavorable subsequent regulatory actions. However, this balance also depends on the nature of competition (e.g. monopoly versus oligopoly). In this paper we model the firm's behavior under different competitive scenarios and test the model's predictions using a novel combination of sales, promotion, advertising, and adverse event reports data. We focus on the market for erectile dysfunction drugs as the basis for estimation. This market is ideal for analysis as it is characterized by an abrupt shift in structure, all drugs are branded, the drugs are associated with adverse health events, and have extensive advertising and promotion. We find that advertising and promotion expenditures increase own market share but also increase the share of adverse drug reactions. Competitors' spending decreases market share, while also having an influence on adverse drug reactions.

JEL-codes: I0 K0 K2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-com, nep-ind and nep-mkt
Note: EH LE
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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