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Research ArticleArticle

Missing Work Is a Pain

The Effect of Cox-2 Inhibitors on Sickness Absence and Disability Pension Receipt

Aline Bütikofer and Meghan M. Skira
Journal of Human Resources, January 2018, 53 (1) 71-122; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.53.1.0215-6958R1
Aline Bütikofer
Aline Bütikofer is an associate professor in the Department of Economics at the Norwegian School of Economics. Meghan M. Skira is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.
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Meghan M. Skira
Aline Bütikofer is an associate professor in the Department of Economics at the Norwegian School of Economics. Meghan M. Skira is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.
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Abstract

How does medical innovation affect labor supply? We analyze how the availability of Cox-2 inhibitors, pharmaceuticals used for treating pain and inflammation, affected the sickness absence and disability pension receipt of individuals with joint pain. We exploit the market entry of the Cox-2 inhibitor Vioxx and its sudden market withdrawal as exogenous sources of variation in drug use. Using Norwegian administrative data, we find Vioxx’s entry decreased quarterly sickness absence days among individuals with joint pain by 7–12 percent. The withdrawal increased sickness days by 12–16 percent and increased the quarterly probability of receiving disability benefits by 6–15 percent.

  • Received February 2015.
  • Accepted August 2016.

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Journal of Human Resources: 53 (1)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 53, Issue 1
1 Jan 2018
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Missing Work Is a Pain
Aline Bütikofer, Meghan M. Skira
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2018, 53 (1) 71-122; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.53.1.0215-6958R1

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Missing Work Is a Pain
Aline Bütikofer, Meghan M. Skira
Journal of Human Resources Jan 2018, 53 (1) 71-122; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.53.1.0215-6958R1
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