Pharmaceutical Benefits Managers (PBMs) are intermediaries between upstream drug manufacturers and downstream insurance companies. They design formularies
Question:
Pharmaceutical Benefits Managers (PBMs) are intermediaries between upstream drug manufacturers and downstream insurance companies. They design formularies (lists of drugs that insurance will cover) and negotiate prices with drug companies. PBMs want a wider variety of drugs available to their insured populations, but at low prices. Suppose that a PBM is negotiating with the makers of two non drowsy allergy drugs, Claritin and Allegra, for inclusion on the formulary. The “value” or “surplus” created by including one non drowsy allergy drug on the formulary is $80 million, but the value of adding a second drug is only $8 million.
Assume the PBM bargains by telling each drug company that it's going to reach an agreement with the other drug company. Under the non-strategic view of bargaining, the PBM would earn a surplus of million, while each drug company would earn a surplus of million.
Now suppose the two drug companies merge. What is the likely post merger bargaining outcome?
Under the nonstrategic view of bargaining, the PBM would earn a surplus of million, while the merged drug company would earn a surplus of million.
Managerial Economics A Problem Solving Approach
ISBN: 978-1133951483
3rd edition
Authors: Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Mikhael Shor, Michael R. War