Pharmaceutical Companies and the Conflict over Making HIV/AIDS Drugs Available In Poor Countries (Essay Sample)

Name: Course: Instructor: Date: Pharmaceutical Companies and the Conflict over Making HIV/AIDS Drugs Available In Poor Countries Section 1. Introduction: Introduce the topic and identify the CSR (and ethical) issue(s) that are of concern. Then, list the stakeholders that influence or are influenced by this issue. Be specific in naming individuals, groups, associations, and/or government bodies. (10 marks) The HIV/ Aids is a global menace that vehemently impede development especially in the third world countries, thus necessitating the exploration of moral obligations of Pharmaceutical companies towards HIV/Aids victims. The report will objectively analyze pharmaceutical companies that produce HIV drugs, based on moral obligations. It could be primarily asserted that drugs reduce the risk of HIV/Aids on the local community; but research indicate that there is minimal corporate social responsibility accorded to the HIV/Aids patients within the developing countries (Resnik 11). From a sense of benevolence, pharmaceutical companies may be obligated to making opportunities of the concerned HIV/Aids patients who are in need of drugs. The report will adopt utilitarian point of view, which is too demanding but the approach will not contradict the main theme of the utilitarian morality (Brock 34). In line with the theme of the report, the paper will argue that pharmaceutical companies primarily aim at making money, in spite of the need to enhance welfare of the HIV/Aids victims, which is basically the need for corporate social responsibility will not hamper them from making money as stipulated in their respective company objectives. It is important to base the report on developing countries since they are most affected by the HIV scourge (Norman 38). Other reason is that the people living in third world countries do not have enough opportunity to purchase HIV/Aids drugs by themselves or the respective governments do not have capacity to purchase enough drugs for affected population in their countries (Khanna 194). However, the stakeholders that influence/ or are influenced by the CSR issue between Pharmaceutical companies and the conflict over making HIV/AIDS drugs available in poor countries include Canadian citizens and government, the global financiers like World Bank and International Monetary Fund, World Health organization, UNICEF, UNDP, UNEP, UN-Habitat, national governments in the developing countries like China, Vietnam, UAE, Tunisia, Yemen among other countries within the global scope (Joe 23). Moreover, there are also other organizations that are able to provide comprehensive corporate social responsibility to HIV/Aids victims in developing world; it is realistic that pharmaceutical companies have direct link to the realistic situation. Moreover, they also possess more affordability to the HIV/Aids victims, individually and as a country (Norman 39). Since situation of HIV in developing countries require moral support, it is not appropriate to adopt legal implications; a fact that has made it realistic to refer to pharmaceutical companies (Udo & Richard 179). In this respect, effective adoption of voluntary action is based on moral concern. Hence social corporate responsibility maybe connoted by several concepts, like: moral duty, social responsibility just but a few (Khanna 194). In deriving an in-depth understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR), it could be argues that the program involves giving back to the community for continues engagement in services of the distinct organization. CSR promotes accountability for business organizations that deemed it fit. Generally, companies engage in corporate social responsibility to woo investors and enhance better understanding and trust with stakeholders and the general public (Resnik 13). But the case report is based on pharmaceutical companies; which by virtue of their work jurisdiction, there are minimal chances of enhancing practicing social corporate responsibility (Joe 31). Most of the companies that are specialized in provision of HIV/Aids drugs to developing countries are in high demand. It implies that pharmaceutical companies target the high demand of healthcare and medication; the companies should ensure that the services are effected with consideration of the community, wellbeing of the employees and environmental protection now and in the future (Norman 40). It is however, important to state that the underpinning concept of CSR could no longer act within isolated economic entities especially when detached from the general society. The operational theory within CSR is based on competitiveness and corresponding level of profitability (Resnik 30). When the pharmaceutical companies are involved in corporate social responsibility, they would gain immensely from improved financial performance, enhanced reputation and brand image, greater productivity and quality, decreased liability, lower operating costs, increased sales and customer loyalty, workforce diversity and higher chances of attraction and both customer and employee retention (Brock 36; Udo & Richard 182). Moreover, to the local community, involvement on corporate social responsibility enhances effective distribution of charitable contributions, product safety, employee volunteering and the involvement of corporate in community education, facilitating education and awareness of the health risks associated with diseases which are not limited to HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis. It is somewhat right that pharmaceutical companies should have minimum responsibilities towards HIV/Aids especially in the developing world (Joe 27). Section 2. Rationale: Analyze the ethics of the issues involved in CSR using three of the methods of ethical reasoning (utility, rights and justice) described on pages 83–87 of your textbook. Then, indicate which of the three methods you feel is most helpful in evaluating the ethics of the relevant issue(s). Explain the reasons for your choice. (30 marks) In analyzing ethical implications of corporate social responsibility of pharmaceutical companies on enhancing HIV/AIDS drugs available in poor countries, utility, rights and justice would be adopted. Utility: It is within ethical reasoning that corporate social responsibility should be applied towards enabling the HIV/ Aids patients in poor countries get reprieve from the scourge. Moreover, as far as business is concerned, the pharmaceutical companies that intend to engage in the CSR should firstly consider the perceived costs of decision and corresponding benefits (Norman 41). According to research, it is important to state that no company would like to be involved in activities that does not benefit them at long last. It is somewhat that pharmaceutical companies are aware of the difficulties that HIV patients go through in the developing world; but, this does not impede their service delivery strategies (Khanna 195). There is high demand of HIV/ Aids drugs in the developing countries that the pharmaceutical companies find it unrealistic to invest much capital in corporate social responsibility. However, to some extent, it is ethical for the pharmaceutical companies to active with humane and take services to the society (Joe 33). In business, some organizations or companies sell their products and services at cheaper costs, at times companies provide free samples to local population or the society. Products and services provided by medical companies are often self-explanatory (Khanna 195). A government may observe the level of commitment of pharmaceutical companies in providing HIV/Aids related services to the vulnerable groups and people; thus at somewhat point, a well-wisher or government may opt to pay for extra services so that services could effectively meet the demand within the society (Joe 25). Rights When dealing with provision of corporate social responsibility to the societies in developing countries, pharmaceutical companies should handle HIV/ Aids patients as a people or groups which are entitled to life just like the common man. The companies should advertise their services within the ethical models through adhering to the perceived facts that the victims go through in their quest to make both ends meet (Brock 33; Udo & Richard 184). Whilst pharmaceutical companies are focused on availing medical facilities, products and services to the developing countries, it is important that they practice trustworthiness. They should deliver the promises without cheat or steal. Thus illustrating their level of integrity which is a sensitive aspect that customers and consumers are keen on, in their quest to engage in business activities (Resnik 14). The family could gain immense trust and loyalty through being loyal to the affected families, co-workers, friends, community and nation. However, regarding rights, when basic human rights are respected, pharmaceutical companies involved in CSR within the HIV/ Aids prone (Norman 41). Justice In accomplishing corporate social responsibility within the pharmaceutical companies as far as HIV/Aids victims are concerned, and on general basis; the term justice refers to ability to equally distribute justice and burdens within the acceptable boundaries/ regulations exhibit impartiality. In ethical reasoning, regardless of the pathetic conditions that HIV/ Aids patients undergo in their quest for equal consideration in medication. It is important that nobody should practice self-interest (Joe 43). Both the pharmaceutical companies and the society in third world countries require corporate social responsibility in dealing with HIV/Aids should not take more than their fair share. Developing world would increase their service provision far and wide due to gained customer loyalty. Moreover, when benefits and costs are fairly distributed, justice would prevail hence more investors would develop trust (Khanna 196). However, Utility would be adopted as the most helpful in eval...