Lecture 6 Flashcards
What does demand refer to in economics?
The relationship between the amount of a good that consumers are willing and able to buy at various prices.
Why is analyzing demand important?
- To predict consumer behavior and likely reactions.
- Demand for health care may say something about how much they value a good
For example, if a charge is introduced for a drug or a test, what will be the effect on the number of people using that drug or test?
Can you give an example of analyzing demand?
Predicting the impact of introducing a charge for a drug or a test on consumer usage.
What can knowledge about people’s demand for health care inform?
Policy decisions on subsidies
Why do consumers have to make choices?
Limited income and scarcity
What is the concept of willingness to pay?
Households’ preparedness to spend a certain amount on a product
For example, my willingness to pay for a packet of Panadol at a particular moment in time might be that I am prepared to spend 5 LE. If Panadol is currently selling at 7 LE then despite the fact that I have a demand for Panadol, no transaction will take place. If, however, panadol is available at 5 LE (or less) then a transaction will take place
When will a transaction take place?
When the price is equal to or lower than households’ willingness to pay
What is quantity demanded?
The amount that households are willing and able to buy
What are the determinants of demand on health care?
Inputs of the Quantity demanded fn
P, Y, Ps, Pc, T
P = price of the good
Y = income
Ps = price of substitute goods
Pc = price of complementary goods
T = tastes or preferences
What is the function that represents quantity demanded?
Qd = f (P, Y, Ps, Pc, T)
How does price affect the quantity demanded?
Inverse relationship
E.g. If Panadol is priced at 1 LE per pack, you might be prepared to buy more per year than if it were priced at 10 LE per pack.
How does income affect the quantity demanded of a good?
Positive relationship
The amount demanded is also related to the size of a consumers income
The higher your income, the more likely it is that more of a good will be demanded at any given price. Therefore, if your income falls, you might consume less Panadol per year.
What is one of the determinants of demand on health care?
Price of substitutes and complements
For example, if the price of Panadol remains fixed at 5 LE per pack, but the price of a substitute good, say aspirin, falls, you may now purchase less Panadol per year than before as it is now relatively less attractive
What are substitute goods?
Goods that can be used instead of your good
What are complementary goods?
Goods bought in conjunction with your product
(e.g. a syringe and a needle)
How does the demand for your good change if the price of a substitute good increases?
Demand for your good may increase
How does the demand for your good change if the price of a complementary good rises?
Demand for your good may fall
How can an allergic reaction to Panadol affect the demand for it?
The price you are willing to pay for Panadol is also a function of your tastes or preferences.
Demand will decrease
What is the law of demand?
As price increases, demand falls
Each point on the curve relates to the quantity demanded at a different price
Why do demand curves slope downwards?
Consumers buy more as price falls
What is the quantity demanded at a price of 5 LE knowing that the quantity demanded at a price of 10 LE is 3 packs per year?
4+ packs a year
What is the maximum number of packs the individual would take even if they were given away free of charge?
7 packs