Module 3: Drug Essay

Are drug companies that test experimental drugs in foreign countries acting ethically? In my opinion, a lot of people in foreign countries are uneducated and therefore, may not fully understand the risks, complications and side effects of these experimental drugs. If they do not have the means to adequately research the drug prior to testing it, they may end up doing so without fully understanding what potential side effects are involved. I am not sure how well companies educate these foreign countries and or people involved in the case study. If these people are not educated properly than it is unethical for them to test experimental drugs on them. Is American industry at too much risk of lawsuits to remain competitive? Should companies trying to develop drugs be given immunity from lawsuits? The American industry is at risk for lawsuits. I believe people sue now days for almost anything. However, it is not too much of a risk to remain competitive. America is one of the richest countries in the world. I feel China is our biggest competition. We must continue to advance our technology, enhance our products and services and look for new ideas and inventions in order to remain competitive. There will always be a risk of lawsuits but I do not feel is would stop us from being competitive. Companies trying to develop drugs should not be given immunity from lawsuits. I know that by developing and inventing new drugs, companies are trying to remain competitive and find cures or medicines to help people. However, some of the side effects that are related to these drugs are horrendous and can cause permanent damage. I also understand that most side effects are disclosed to people who take these new drugs however; not all side effects are known with these new drugs and some of them can lead to death. It may not be the company’s intention to cause death or some other serious deficiency but it happens and when it does, the individual should have to right to sue for medical related costs and pain and suffering. Is it ethical for companies to decline to sell a useful drug because they can make more money marketing drugs that are more widely needed? Is it ethical for companies to decline to sell a useful drug in a foreign country because they can make more money marketing the drug elsewhere? I personally feel that it is neither ethical nor unethical for a company to decline to sell a useful drug just because they can make more money marketing drugs that are more widely needed. It really is up to the company what drugs they want to sell  however; if a drug is available that will help people and or cure disease, it should be made available and companies should sell it. From a business stand point I can understand why they would want to market only drugs that are more widely needed as it will make them more money however; by offering or selling drugs that are useful, they will eventually gain more recognition and that could lead to a competitive advantage. As for whether or not it is ethical for companies to decline selling a useful drug in a foreign country because they can make more money marketing the drug elsewhere, I am again neither in agreement or disagreement on this one. It is a company’s chose where and to whom they want to sell drugs to. However, in poor countries, people cannot easily afford anything. Companies would have to reduce their price significantly even by selling in bulk. If they sell to China or other countries that can afford the drugs, I am sure they would do so but they also risk losing money. Do companies have an ethical obligation to make drugs available in poor countries at little or no cost? I personally feel that companies do not have an ethical obligation to make drugs available in poor countries at little or no cost. I certainly can understand that people in other countries have it very hard. A lot of people have little or no money and can barely afford to feed their family and or children let alone afford health care and or drugs. However, by making drugs available at little to no cost, people will be able to sell it and use it illegally creating an even bigger problem. People will smuggle it into the United States as they do now with street drugs. It is unfortunate that people with good intentions who will use the drugs and or medication for what it is prescribe for have to suffer because of those people whose intentions are not so good. Those free and or lost cost drugs will be another way for criminals to make money. I do not think it is a good idea nor do I fee l that companies have any type of moral or ethical obligation to do this.