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Publications
  • Fall 2019
  • Article
  • RAND Journal of Economics

Endogenous Productivity of Demand-Induced R&D: Evidence from Pharmaceuticals

By: Kyle Myers and Mark Pauly
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Abstract

We examine trends in the productivity of the pharmaceutical sector over the past three decades. Motivated by Ricardo’s insight that productivity and rents are endogenous to demand when inputs are scarce, we examine the industry’s aggregate R&D production function. Using exogenous demand shocks to instrument investments, we find that demand growth can explain a large portion of R&D growth. Returns to scale have been stable whereas total factor productivity has declined significantly. Predicted rents based on our estimates and Ricardo’s theory closely match the trends we observe.

Keywords

Innovation; Productivity; Pharmaceuticals; Innovation And Invention; Performance Productivity; Pharmaceutical Industry

Citation

Myers, Kyle, and Mark Pauly. "Endogenous Productivity of Demand-Induced R&D: Evidence from Pharmaceuticals." RAND Journal of Economics 50, no. 3 (Fall 2019): 591–614.
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About The Author

Kyle R. Myers

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

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  • The Elasticity of Science By: Kyle Myers
  • Unequal Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Scientists By: Kyle Myers, Wei Yang Tham, Yian Yin, Nina Cohodes, Marie Thursby, Jerry Thursby, Peter Schiffer, Joseph Walsh, Karim R. Lakhani and Dashun Wang
  • Research Subsidy Spillovers, Two Ways By: Kyle Myers and Lauren Lanahan
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