Ethical dilemma

Business Ethics

The Use of Teleology and Deontology

The case scenario that will be analyzed and discussed is about an ethical dilemma faced by the CEO of a global pharmaceutical company (Company X . The executive problem came after Company X was able to achieve a breakthrough in the race against developing a cure for HIV /AIDS . In the wake of their success and the ensuing FDA approval an influential human rights organizations were pressuring Company X to donate mass quantities of the drugs to those who are in extreme poverty and have

no way of ever purchasing said medication

The question now weighs on the CEO 's shoulder . Should the company relent or make a stand not to give in to any request or coercion regarding the giving away for free , mass quantities of the new drug

Fiscal vs . Human Aspect

The dilemma faced here by the CEO was formed by the clashing of two forces . One comes from the fiscal aspect of doing things the other one coming from the human aspect of doing things meaning life is not all about dollars and cents

Looking at the fiscal side first can immediately conjure a big headache for the CEO . The first thing that comes to mind is the cost that was incurred in the research and development alone . Millions of dollars were spent finding the cure . Here lies the first major problem

The Financial Side of Business

The question is this . Where did this money come from ? There can be at least one or two answers , 1 ) investor money and 2 ) loans . If the funds came from investors then the investors have the right to ask for a return of investment and looking at the potential for saving lives those who risked significant sums are also salivating for a huge payday

If in the process of research , the company has run out of funds or if they are operating on a tight schedule then it is likely that they took up some loans to ensure the smooth operation of the research facility Then if that is the case then there is also an obligation to the banks to pay said loan

The money problem described above is just only talking about the financing aspect . The other issue is the survival of the company itself Producing such huge quantities and then giving it all for free will surely hamper the personnel management side of the operations . Where will they get money to pay for salary etc

There is more . A certain level of cash flow is needed for the sustainability of the company . The company has to grow . It is not merely to grow for the sake of becoming an empire but it is growth for the sake of service for helping others . Take for example that drug that can cure of HIV /AIDS . If Company X was good enough to discover one then it is also good enough to discover more breakthroughs . Now going back to the wonder drug...