13108. OLIGOPOLY IN THE PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY. Looks at the drug industry as an example of a structural oligopoly; domination of the market by a few players is attributed to high R & D costs, patent protections, brand name recognition, and mergers and acquisitions that keep out new competitors. Eli Lilly is cited as a case example of a major industry player with a position protected by famous trade names and growth into biotechnology and non-drug businesses. 11 pages, 14 footnotes, 5 bibliographic sources.