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Despite the fact that healthcare organizations have been raising awareness about opioid addictions and the problems caused by this epidemic in recent decades, it still remains a topical issue in many countries across the globe. One of the ethical questions often discussed in relation to this problem is whether pharmaceutical companies are morally obliged to ensure that their products are not consumed illegitimately or in an abusive manner. The perspective of utilitarian ethics allows the argument that pharmaceutical companies do have a moral responsibility to ensure that the drugs they produce are used legally. Utilitarianism is a theory that does not merely consider the happiness of the decider, but the happiness of all who will be affected by the decision ( Pharmaceutical market and utilitarian principles, 2019, par. 2). Utilitarian principles are highly applicable to the issues and moral dilemmas that arise in the pharmaceutical industry since the main purpose of all pharmaceutical companies should be the improvement of their consumers health and well-being.
According to the theory of utilitarian ethics, actions should be guided by the intention to provide the greatest good to the greatest number. It can be argued that while pharmaceutical companies may not always be in control of drug trafficking processes, they have the power to improve industry practices that would allow for gaining more control. In addition, these companies have developed certain ways of communication with their customers, which can be used to raise awareness about the problem. The fact that they have the power and resources to take measures makes them morally obliged to act in a way that would provide the greatest good to their customers ( Pharmaceutical market and utilitarian principles, 2019, par. 1). If every pharmaceutical company developed serious strategies to tackle the issue of the opioid epidemic, it would contribute greatly to the solution of this problem.
Reference
Pharmaceutical market and utilitarian principles. (2019). AMA Journal of Ethics.
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