How Do Copayment Coupons Affect Branded Drug Prices and Quantities Purchased?

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2024
Volume: 16
Issue: 3
Pages: 314-46

Authors (3)

Leemore Dafny (not in RePEc) Kate Ho Edward Kong (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We estimate the causal effects of drug copayment coupons, which reduce consumer cost sharing for branded prescription drugs, on net-of-rebate price and quantities sold. We show that coupon introductions increase the quantity of drugs without generic substitutes sold by 23–25 percent for the commercial segment relative to Medicare Advantage, where coupons are banned. To quantify the resulting equilibrium price effects, we estimate a discrete choice model of demand for multiple sclerosis drugs and simulate a model of drug price negotiations. We estimate that net-of-rebate prices are 8 percent higher due to coupons being offered for most of these drugs.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:314-46
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-02-02