[The structure of drug costs. A criticism of monocausal explanation (author's transl)]

Proceeding from the arguments of a recent publication, an attempt is made to establish whether a monocausal assessment is fruitful in the explanation of the development of drug costs in the statutory health insurance. The question is raised whether the price increase for drugs is in fact the decisive variable determining the costs. This is denied on the grounds of a differential analysis of the causative variables involved and it is shown what role, besides price and quantity components, the innovation or structure effect plays in the development of drug costs.