Research on management issues in the pharmaceutical industry: a literature review

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims to present a review of literature to assess the progress of research on managerial issues in the pharmaceutical industry globally. Design/methodology/approach -Literature from peer-reviewed journals available on online databases was collected for the last decade, using the keyword search technique, and then classifying it according to major managerial issues, research methodologies used and geographical zones. Findings -Behavioral issues at the consumer/physician level and non-behavioral issues in pricing and medical expenses are studied the most, followed by supply chain management, research and development and manufacturing and services operations management. There is scope for conjunction of research efforts across themes and players. The studies focus on the developed nations through the application of field research and mathematical modeling techniques. The studies in the American region focus more on development and marketing while studies in Europe are aligned towards manufacturing and distribution in the industry. Studies in the developing nations are mostly exploratory in nature and require more focus on issues of research and development and marketing in addition to a substantial increase in overall research efforts. More trans-continental studies are needed to consolidate research efforts globally.Research limitations/implications -The review is not exhaustive of all studies available on the industry and each of the issues. Conference papers, unpublished material and lectures were excluded. Practical implications -Identification of the present and emerging issues together provides practitioners in healthcare systems with an idea of available techniques and strategies to solve problems in healthcare/pharmaceutical management. Originality/value -A study on research of management issues in the pharmaceutical industry across the world has perhaps not been conducted in the recent past: this paper fills part of that gap.

Generic Drug Distribution in India-Issues and Challenges

“…There are several issues and challenges related to the distribution of generic drugs in India which results in lower level of adoption of pharmacy products drugs in the country. Some of the issues and challenges are discussed here [9].…”

Sunk Cost Dilemma Behavior: The Contribution Marketing Expenses towards Financial Performance

“…Selling expenses have some categories such as the advertising expenses and the mean share of each category to the whole number of selling expenses (promotional expenses, salesmen's salaries, general selling expenses, transportation expenses, and commissions). Advertising and promotion have been attempting to understand the needs of the market (Narayana., Pati., & Vrat., 2012).…”

“…Sometimes, the benefit is uncertain, and it only occurs if the researches lead to the commercial product. It has placed pressures on the company to adapt rapidly to risk and uncertainty (Narayana., Pati., & Vrat., 2012). Thus, it sounds like a dangerous path to follow the company when using debt when financing the research and development expenses.…”

“…Holak, Parry, & Song (1991), stated that this expense has synergy with the customer's characteristics and adoption process from research and development expenditure. Through research and development, the innovation from the company must be tried on a limited basis and potential adopter to know how successful is the research and development's trialability, observability, failure risk, and communicability to sell the innovated product (Narayana & Pati, 2012). This research explains that the impact of research and development can not just be instant to profitability.…”

A Structured Review of Quantitative Models of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

“…Another review has been carried out by [14] involving research on management issues in the pharmaceutical industry, and this study uses a classification in terms of geographical zones, research methodologies, and managerial issues. The study is not dedicated to finding quantitative models in the pharmaceutical supply chains except for the identification of emerging issues for healthcare practitioners.…”