Research Bio
Professor Robinson's research focuses on the economics of the life sciences, health insurance, and health care delivery sectors. He has published three books and over 140 papers in peer-reviewed journals such as JAMA, the New England Journal of Medicine, and Health Affairs. His econometric research centers on drug pricing, drug price markups by hospitals and other intermediaries, and the impact of reference-based pricing for consumer choices. His case study research centers on industrial policy in the life sciences and comparative analyses of pricing and patient access for biopharmaceuticals in Germany, France, Italy, England, and the US.
Research Expertise and Interest
economics of innovation, industrial policy in the life sciences, pharmaceutical pricing, regulation of medical devices, comparative health systems
In the News
Study Shows That Hospitals Impose Major Price Markups on Cancer and Other Specialty Drugs
Hospital mergers and acquisitions leading to increased patient costs
The trend of hospitals consolidating medical groups and physician practices in an effort to improve the coordination of patient care is backfiring and increasing the cost of patient care, according to a new study led by a UC Berkeley health-policy expert.