Ethical conduct remains an issue of great importance in any form of work done. Development of maintenance drugs for chronic illness such as hepatitis by the pharmaceutical companies remains a burning issue with the libertarians. The libertarians have the great desire to see several medications for the illness rather than the maintenance drugs. However, the pharmaceutical companies persist on manufacturing such drugs for the disease. Such a scenario has developed a hot debate that needs long lasting solutions.
Chronic illnesses are very sensitive and require proper attention from the pharmaceutical companies. It is not true to say that the pharmaceutical companies have resisted the change required by the libertarians. This is because they conduct various research which is an indication of commitment to testing other drugs to help in overcoming these chronic diseases. However, the manufacturing of drugs by pharmaceutical companies brings an ethical issue that needs solutions.
Pharmaceutical companies fail to have a consensus with the libertarians on the issue of drug production due to the patent system they have adopted. Cernea & Uszkai (211) reveal that the patent system followed by pharmaceutical companies support the manufacture of maintenance drugs. The companies have a great reservation on the cost implication involved in the manufacture of new drugs to cure chronic diseases. Many pharmaceutical companies focus much on making profits or becoming wealthy and forgetting the provision of drugs that offer service to all (Cernea & Uszkai 211).
The issue of profits raises a lot of concern with the product and service provision by the pharmaceutical companies. The pharmaceutical companies and their patent take this action in producing the maintenance drugs to benefit themselves other than the consumers of the drugs. In fact, this is unethical conduct on the side of the industry. It is because of this reason the libertarians have raised concern over the production of maintenance drugs. Although research and production of new drugs are expensive for the companies, this does not warrant them to remain persistent on the issue (Cruickshank 1598).
Solutions
The libertarians and the pharmaceutical industry need to sit down and come up with strategies that can assist in solving the issue. For instance, they should agree on the idea that research and productions of the drugs is an expensive venture and find a way forward. For example, they can agree that the governments would support the production of the drugs by providing funds to subsidize the production. It also important for the two with the help of the government business agencies to determine drug prices that would ensure the companies break even.
Besides, it is recommendable for pharmaceutical companies to be in the forefront of conducting medical research to identify a variety of drugs that can cure chronic illnesses. The companies should develop the urge to find better medical drugs that can assist in curing the chronic diseases. In the case of any difficulties, they should seek assistance from the governments.
Finally, there is the need for governments of various countries to enact some policies that condemns the act of pharmaceutical companies manufacturing maintenance drugs only. The policies should impel the companies to develop maintenance and short term drugs. Severe actions should be applied to those companies that do not comply with such policies. It is through the policies that the companies will strive further to come up with better drugs for chronic drugs.
Works Cited
Cernea, Mihail-Valentin and Uszkai, Radu. “The Clash between Global Justice and Pharmaceutical Patents: A Critical Analysis1.” University of Bucharest. 4 (1-2) 2012: 210-21
Cruickshank, J. M. "The Cases for and against Prescribing Generic Drugs: Don't Take Innovative Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies for Granted." Bmj 297.6663 (1988): 1597- 598. Web.
