Seminar

Past

Information Distortion in Label Design in Over-the-Counter Drug Market

Ana Evdokimova

  • Date16 March 2026
  • Time 14h15 - 15h30
  • Room Auditorium 4

Abstract

This paper examines how over-the-counter drug labels influence consumer perceptions of efficacy, distort decision-making, and shape equilibrium outcomes under counterfactual regulatory scenarios. It addresses a key identification challenge—the unobservability of perceived efficacy under different information structures—by conducting a randomized controlled trial and integrating its findings into a structural model. Using data from a control group and three treatment arms, I construct product-level measures of perceived efficacy beliefs based on pairwise product comparisons. Leveraging control group data supplemented with NielsenIQ data, I estimate a structural demand model that isolates the role of efficacy beliefs while accounting for heterogeneous preferences. I then incorporate updated beliefs to assess equilibrium effects under each information treatment. In equilibrium, the most effective intervention—emphasizing equivalent efficacy—increases substitution between biologically equivalent products by 26%, reduces consumer spending by 12%, but also introduces second-degree price discrimination driven by symptom-label preferences.

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To be announced

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  • Industrial Organization seminar

  • Date 7 December 2026

  • Place Auditorium 4

  • Speaker or organiser Teck Yong Tan (University of Rochester)

Details

To be announced

  • Seminar

  • Industrial Organization seminar

  • Date 16 November 2026

  • Place Auditorium 4

  • Speaker or organiser Sandro Shelegia (University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona)

Details

Joint IO-Finance Seminar - Platform money

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  • Date 9 November 2026

  • Place Auditorium 4

  • Speaker or organiser Kathy Yuan

Details