Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1023590 Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 2012 19 Pages PDF
Abstract

In this paper, we construct a generalized network oligopoly model with arc multipliers for supply chains of pharmaceutical products using variational inequality theory. The model captures the Cournot competition among the manufacturers who seek to determine their profit-maximizing product flows, which can be perishable, with the consumers differentiating among the products of the firms, whether branded or generic, and the firms taking into consideration the discarding costs. The numerical examples demonstrate that a brand pharmaceutical product may lose its dominant market share as a consequence of patent rights expiration and because of generic competition.

Highlight► We develop a new model of supply chain network competition for pharmaceuticals. ► The game theoretic model captures product perishability and brand differentiation. ► We utilize generalized networks and variational inequality theory. ► A case study on cholesterol-lowering drugs is presented. ► The impacts of patent rights expiration and generic drug competition are quantified.

Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Business, Management and Accounting Business and International Management
Authors
, , ,