Invites you to a Microeconometrics & Public Policy seminar presented by

Tatyana Avilova

(Tokyo University)

Patient Cost Sharing and Prescription Drug Trends:
Evidence from Japan

Friday, 21 April 2023

12.00pm – 1.00pm

Abstract – Previous research has documented that as patient cost sharing decreases, patients’ demand for and spending on health care services, including prescription drugs, increase. However, evidence is limited about whether there are heterogeneous effects by patient sex and type of prescription drug treatment (e.g., cardiovascular drugs, antibiotics, vitamins, etc.). I study this question in the context of the Japanese health care system, where universal access to most health care services at standardized prices and the age-dependent patient cost sharing scheme address the challenges of conducting this research in other settings. I find that for the whole sample, price elasticity for spending is comparable to previous estimates of price elasticity of spending for general medical services. While there is no heterogeneity in spending between women and men across all drugs, I do find statistically significant differences by sex for select drug types. Furthermore, evidence suggests that spending increases through either more patients beginning treatment or existing patients using more prescription drugs, but not through existing patients switching to more expensive medications.

For further information contact: Microeconometrics & Public Policy Seminar Coordinator Dr Gregor Pfeifer (gregor-gabriel.pfeifer@sydney.edu.au)

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