Stockpiling anti-viral drugs for a pandemic: the role of Manufacturer Reserve Programs

J Health Econ. 2010 May;29(3):438-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2010.02.004. Epub 2010 Mar 16.

Abstract

To promote stockpiling of anti-viral drugs by non-government organizations such as hospitals, drug manufacturers have introduced Manufacturer Reserve Programs which, for an annual fee, provide the right to buy in the event of a severe outbreak of influenza. We show that these programs enhance drug manufacturer profits but could either increase or decrease the amount of pre-pandemic stockpiling of anti-viral drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / economics
  • Antiviral Agents / supply & distribution*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Benchmarking
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Drug Costs
  • Drug Industry / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Inventories, Hospital / economics
  • Models, Theoretical
  • United States

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents