The association between pharmaceutical innovation and both premature mortality and hospital utilization in Switzerland, 1996–2019

Abstract We analyze the association that pharmaceutical innovation had with premature mortality from all diseases in Switzerland during period 1996–2018, and its hospital utilization for 2002–2019. The analysis is performed by investigating whether experienced more larger subsequent declines hospitalization. Pharmaceutical measured growth number of drugs used to treat a disease ever registered Switzerland. Utilization chemical substance reaches peak 9–12 years after it was first launched, then declines. Our estimates indicate potential life lost before ages 85, 75, 65 significantly inversely related substances 6–9, 3–9, 0–9 earlier, respectively. new were 1990–2011 are associated reductions 2018 257 thousand, 163 102 days 8–10 earlier. 1994–2010 2019 2.07 million. Average length inpatient stays 2–10 1999–2015 average 0.4 days. Under assumption exogenous respect hospitalization, uncorrelated other determinants health outcomes, if we ignore reduction previous innovation, rough estimate cost per life-year age 85 gained € 14,310. However, about 85% expenditure on may have been offset curative rehabilitative care. net therefore 2201.