Eco100 Assignment 1

950 Words4 Pages
1. Suggest how an economist would approach the problem of alcohol abuse. Provide two possible solutions to this problem. Include the four (4) elements of the economic way of thinking in your analysis. Alcohol abuse not only causes economic problems for the user but also to the user’s friends, family and, society. In the Unites States the effects of alcohol consumption on health and safety constitute a substantial economic burden, reducing the overall standard of living. Over the years it has been proven that during hard economic times, alcohol consumption increases as the economy decreases. It has also shown that when alcohol prices increase the demand for alcohol decreases. The sale of beer, wine and other spirits are responsive to price. Economists have found that not all types of alcohol respond in terms of price elasticity of demand. Even with a one percent increase in price, it was found that beer tended to be the least responsive compared to spirits. Overall price did matter for each type of alcohol. The cost of alcohol abuse has an impact on the economy by increasing healthcare cost, insurance cost covering highway alcohol related accidents and court cost in punishing those who serve or sell alcohol to impaired or young drinkers. 2. Analyze how prescription drugs affect the demand and supply of other products and services in this country. The cost of research and development plays a key role in the cost of the product as well as the demand. If the cost of the product is low or lower than the competitor the demand is going to increase. Thus the supply needed to meet the demand is going to increase. Companies want to recoup their investment in research and development and the price is going to have to take the patent pending into consideration. Another example would be that consumers will look for the cheapest price on the open market. If a generic drug
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