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The research is based upon my Wharton thesis, focuses on pharmaceutical R&D investment decision. It is organized into 1 theoretical chapter, 4 empirical chapters and 3 empirical appendices. Chapter2 develops a q-model framework for analyzing the determinants of pharmaceutical R&D investment. Chapters 3 and 4 test the capital market imperfections hypothesis using a variety of statistical methods. Chapter 5 builds upon this work and test the hypothesis that pharmaceutical price regulation diminishes incentives to invest in R&D. Finally, Chapter 6 employs a computer simulation model of pharmaceutical innovation and competition to study how price regulation in U.S. could affect R&D investment and innovation. Results reveal cash flows are an independent determinant of pharmaceutical R&D investment. Evidence was also uncovered suggesting pharmaceutical price regulation exerts a substantially negative influence on firm R&D investment intensity. Chapter Six obtains results consistent with those reported in Chapter Five, but given the simulation technique and investment strategy perspective numerous other results and findings were obtained.

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John A. Vernon is professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also the former senior economic policy advisor to the Office of the Commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is a Faculty Research Fellow with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).

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