Do GPOs Promote or Stifle Competition in Healthcare-Product Supply Chains?

Qiaohai Hu, Leroy B. Schwarz, Joice (Qiaohai) Hu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper uses economic modeling to examine the controversial role that Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) play in the supply chains for healthcare products. Among the controversies, perhaps the most fundamental one is whether or not GPO-contracted prices are the lowest available. However, the fiercest controversy is around the "Contract Administration Fees (CAFs)" that GPOs charge to manufacturers. We examine these and other controversies using a Hotelling duopoly model.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalDefault journal
StatePublished - Aug 1 2008

Keywords

  • GPOs
  • Group Purchasing Organizations
  • economic modeling
  • healthcare products
  • supply chains

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