A Probe into the Wages and Salaries of Health Economics, Outcomes Research, and Market Access Professionals

Is Pharmacy a Friendly Profession for Everyone in the U.S.? A Probe into Gender and Other Income Disparities

The literature shows that women persistently earn less than men for similar roles and qualifications; yet, pharmacy has been portrayed as an egalitarian profession, with a small gender earnings gap relative to other occupations. There is a lack of recent studies, and some evidence suggests a significant gender gap when earnings are estimated separately for male and female pharmacists. This study compared the nature and magnitude of gender income disparities using two alternative methodological procedures and evaluated the evidence for policy implications. The study was based on 2019-2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. The sample consisted of 12,450 pharmacists (61.5% women) ages 25-64 years practicing in the U.S. Ordinary least-squares models calculated pharmacist annual incomes as functions of work input, human-capital, and job-related covariates. Results estimated a gender earnings gap of up to 18.6%. Differences across sociodemographic groups suggested that pharmacy is only friendly to selected segments of the profession. The empirical evidence reported here is expected to be used by healthcare managers and policymakers to inform ongoing discussion regarding the need for policy changes and cultural shifts to promote gender equity.

Gender and ethnic disparities in students' perceptions of how different groups of persons suspected of possessing and/or selling illegal drugs are treated in the criminal justice system

Ethnic minorities and individuals of low socioeconomics status are disproportionately more likely to be detained, arrested, and convicted and receive longer sentences for drug offenses. This article explores gender and ethnic differentials among college students' perceptions on the criminal justice treatment of different gender, ethnic, and income groups applied to alleged drug offenders. It uses survey data provided by students at a large public university in South Florida. A two-way classification model examines the nature of disparities in perceptions. Students perceive widespread ethnic inequalities and female and Black students perceive greater disparities in the criminal justice system for all disadvantaged groups.

Nature and Composition of Earnings Reported by Health Economists and Related Professionals: Gender, Education, and job Characteristics Matter

Background

Despite the fast growth of the workforce comprising health economics (HE), outcomes research (OR), and market access (MA) professionals, little is known about their earnings determination. Only three studies have examined their earnings and none has considered the number of hours worked, traditionally a critical component of income determination models.

Objectives

(i) Estimate an indicator of annual earnings of HE/OR/MA professionals, comparing male versus female and U.S. versus non-U.S. earnings levels, and (ii) assess the magnitude of the effect of selected human-capital and job-related covariates on their annual earnings determination.

Methods

The study used 2019 self-reported survey data from a sample of 304 HE/OR/MA professionals registered in the HealthEconomics.com global subscriber list. A two-way classification model with multiple replications was used to identify and test earnings variations of HE/OR/MA professionals across genders and locations. An earnings determination function using ordinary least squares was used to identify disparities in response to covariates including average workweek, human-capital stock, and job-related variables by gender and location.

Results

Substantial earning disparities were observed between HE/OR/MA professionals living in the U.S. and those living in other countries. Non-U.S. respondents exhibited earnings gaps of 44.7% in wages/salaries and 46.8% in total earnings relative to their U.S. counterparts with greater gaps for women than men. The female earnings gap outside the U.S. was considerably greater than in the U.S. Holding a graduate degree; working in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology firm; age, a proxy for experience; and working remotely impacted earnings differentials across different subgroups.

Conclusions

The findings of this paper shed light into the nature and composition of earnings of HE/OR/MA professionals across genders and locations. Exploring the dynamics of earning disparities by gender and location has increased in relevance given the rapidly-changing and uncertain job market environment driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disparities in the Wage-and-Salary Earnings, Determinants, and Distribution of Health Economics, Outcomes Research, and Market Access Professionals: An Exploratory Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to estimate the wage-and-salary earnings of a sample of health economics, outcomes research, and market access (HE/OR/MA) professionals; compare male versus female and US versus non-US earnings; assess the magnitude of the effect of several human-capital and job-related covariates on the determination of earnings; and examine inequality in the distribution of earnings.

METHODS

The study used self-reported survey data collected in 2017 from a subset of HE/OR/MA professionals in the HealthEconomics.com global subscriber list. HE/OR/MA professionals in this subset completed a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 372 participants who reported their wage-and-salary earnings and other indicators. The sample was not necessarily representative of the global HE/OR/MA community. The study methods included a two-way classification model with multiple replications, an ordinary least-squares model, and three inequality indicators.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The results suggested substantial disparities between the wage-and-salary earnings of respondents living in the USA and those living in other countries; mild gender disparities in earnings; greater inequality outside the USA than within the USA; and, within each location, more unequal distribution of men's earnings than that of women's earnings.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the findings may not be extrapolated to the worldwide population of HE/OR/MA professionals, they provide a point of comparison with earlier studies and offer insights into the mechanics of one of the most innovative and fastest growing health-sector workforce segments in developed as well as emerging countries.

Predictors of Annual Base Salary for Health Economics, Outcomes Research, and Market Access Professionals in the Biopharmaceutical Industry

BACKGROUND

Analysis of salary data for health economics, outcomes research, and market access professionals in biopharmaceutical space plays an important role in hiring talent, benchmarking remuneration, and evaluating income discrepancies.

OBJECTIVES

To (a) identify predictors of annual base salary (ABS) for health economics, outcomes research, and market access professionals who participated in the 2017 Global Salary Survey by HealthEconomics.Com and (b) evaluate salary-related gender disparity among survey respondents.

METHODS

501 professionals from the HealthEconomics.Com global subscriber list participated in a survey that assessed salary, bonus, benefits, and job satisfaction in June 2017. Two multivariable regression models identified significant predictors of ABS for U.S. and non-U.S. regions separately. Analysis of variance determined interaction effects between gender, organizational size, job title, and people management responsibilities separately.

RESULTS

Of the 501 respondents, 385 were included in the analysis because they reported ABS. Median ABS for male (n = 117) and female (n = 111) U.S.-based respondents was $172,500 and $162,500, respectively. For male (n = 75) and female (n = 65) non-U.S.-based respondents, the median was identical at $92,500. Mean (SD) ABS between male ($180,534 [$77,755]) and female ($165,113 [$64,604]; t [226] = 1.62; P = 0.106) U.S. respondents was not significantly different. Mean (SD) ABS for male ($110,900 [$65,898]) and female ($98,039 [$48,639]; t [138] = 1.30; P = 0.196) non-U.S. respondents was not significantly different, as well. Multivariable regression models for U.S. and non-U.S. respondents accounted for 62.7% and 63.9% of variance in ABS (P < 0.001), respectively. In both models, significantly higher salaries were associated with professionals aged > 40 years; biopharmaceutical employment; having a PhD, PharmD, or MD; and having a job title of president or director (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

After controlling for covariates, gender was not statistically significantly associated with ABS. Age, organization type, terminal degree, and job title were significant predictors of higher salaries inside and outside of the United States. Additional research should be conducted to increase generalizability of results, which were based on a convenience sample.

DISCLOSURES

No funding supported this research. Shah and Peeples are employed by HealthEconomics.Com, which administered the survey used in this study. The authors report no other potential conflicts of interest.