Invidious Price Discrimination in the Sale of Rapid Acting Insulin: Is There An Antitrust Remedy?
12 Pages Posted: 9 Aug 2019 Last revised: 3 Oct 2019
Date Written: Oct. 2, 2019
Abstract
Price discrimination is rampant in the sale of rapid acting insulin and other patented drugs. That discrimination frequently results in uninsured or under-insured patients paying the highest prices. I focus here primarily on the possibility that the targeted price discrimination in the marketing of rapid acting insulin could constitute abusive conduct by a dominant firm. My conclusion is that, while price discrimination is not the primary cause of high insulin prices, it is key to an abusive scheme that reduces output, raises prices for vulnerable patients, and constitutes a clear consumer welfare injury. This coercive conduct should give rise to valid claims for monopolization or attempted monopolization, for related claims under the Robinson Patman Act, or for a separate violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. The broader implications are that a sound antitrust remedy may exist for invidious price discrimination that targets disadvantaged groups, as may occur in the marketing of patented drugs and products with strong trademarks.
Keywords: Prescription Drug Prices, Price Discrimination, Abusive Conduct, Monopolization, Attempted Monopolization
JEL Classification: K21, I11, I13, I14
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation