Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7349

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

Berndt ER.
Perspective: Unique issues raised by drug benefit design.
Health Aff (Millwood) 2004 Jan-Feb; 23:(1):103-6
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/23/1/103

Abstract:

In this Perspective on the preceding paper by Joseph Newhouse, I point out a number of features of the pharmaceutical industry that differentiate it from other health care sectors. These differences help explain why it has proved to be so very difficult to construct policies that simultaneously contain health care costs, provide patients with high-quality care, and generate continued incentives for innovation. I then summarize Newhouse’s preferred Medicare prescription drug benefit program and the issues it raises.

Keywords:
Cost Control Humans Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services/economics* Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services/standards Medicare Motivation* Policy Making Quality of Health Care United States