GS4 · 20 marks · 250 words

You are a mid-level manager at 'GoodLife Pharma,' a leading pharmaceutical company in India. After years of research and development, the company is on the cusp of launching a revolutionary new drug, 'Revivol,' which promises to significantly improve the lives of patients suffering from a debilitating chronic illness. The drug is projected to be a blockbuster, generating billions in revenue and potentially saving countless lives. You've been an integral part of the Revivol team, and its success could significantly boost your career prospects. However, just weeks before the scheduled launch, you stumble upon disturbing evidence suggesting that Revivol may have serious, potentially fatal, side effects in a small percentage of patients. These side effects were not adequately disclosed in the initial clinical trial reports, and further investigation reveals that some data points indicating adverse reactions were deliberately omitted from the final report submitted to the regulatory authorities. You are deeply troubled by this discovery. You understand that the drug is likely to receive approval based on the existing data, and the company is already heavily invested in its marketing and launch. However, the potential harm to patients weighs heavily on your conscience. To add to the complexity, you discover that your direct superior was aware of the data discrepancies and chose to ignore them. Confronting them directly might lead to retaliation, jeopardizing your job and career. You're also the sole breadwinner for your family, and losing your job would have devastating financial consequences. a) What are the ethical dilemmas faced by the manager in this scenario? b) What will be your course of action and why? c) How could stronger corporate governance mechanisms have prevented or mitigated this situation?

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2024

Syllabus: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

How toppers approached it

From all 6 answers · about 280 words · 50% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening100%

Body

  • Points100%

Close

  • No separate close50%
  • A source17%
  • A summary17%
  • A way forward17%

The toppers’ answers

Ranga ManjuAIR 24 · CSE 2024 · 280 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · no separate opening

None written.

Body · points

Ethical dilemmas faced by manager

  1. Public vs. Private gain job loss vs. public health

  2. Company profitability vs. Long term reputation

  3. Whistle blow vs. Collusive corruption (Manager's involvement)

④ Conswence to be betrayed vs work colleagues

⑤ Regulatory authorities to be informed anonymously or not

⑥ Further delaying launch (losing job) vs expediting release

⑦ India's image as pharmacy basket (already hurt with cough syrup crisis)

⑧ Career prospects vs livelihood of others

(b) My Course of action

① Stall the release of the drug forthwith ↳ Company's long term reputation is at stake ↳ 'short life of a lie' eventually will be discovered

→ innocent death [first do no harm is part of Hippocratic oath] → Career prospect are secondary to conscience being broken (slippery slope)

(2) Trace the reason why the clinical trials do not disclose it

(3) Trace all individuals involved in this malfeasance

(4) Report it to the highest management warning of potential catastrophe

(if no action is taken) → Whistle blow to media & be ready to face consequences

→ Deliberate omission is a crime and i'm going to be held liable if Revivol is released. → Conscience does not permit such dastardly act → what if my own family takes the drug?

Strong Corporate Governance could have prevented this

  1. Affixing clear cut responsibility at all stages of value chain → easy to ensure accountability
  2. Newer norms must prioritize consumer health over profit [Precautionary principle]
  3. Multiple levels of control

→ separate independent directors → separate vigilance team etc ↳ allows multiple levels of fixing the issue. ⇒ robust governance → Frequent disclosure norms → Compliance with govt standards/

Close

International standards.

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