Competition in the German pharmacy market: an empirical analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pharmaceutical products are an important component of expenditure on public health insurance in the Federal Republic of Germany. For years, German policy makers have regulated public pharmacies in order to limit the increase in costs. One reform has followed another, main objective being to increase competition in the pharmacy market. It is generally assumed that an increase in competition would reduce healthcare costs. However, there is a lack of empirical proof of a stronger orientation of German public pharmacies towards competition thus far.

Methods

This paper analyses the self-perceptions of owners of German public pharmacies and their orientation towards competition in the pharmacy markets. It is based on a cross-sectional survey (N = 289) and distinguishes

SUBMITTER: Heinsohn JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3856528 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature