Companies Should Research Health Care Products For Use in Developing Na

Companies Should Research Health Care Products For Use in Developing Nations The industry of medical research and product development is an expensive and risky business in which the rate of failure far outweighs the likelihood of success (Glaxo). Only the largest companies can afford to invest large amounts of time and capital in projects that seem to have little chance of striking research gold--a drug that is effective, safe, and marketable for a profit. This creates an obvious problem: what incentives exist that would encourage companies to make a commitment to the development and distribution of products that are not likely to produce great returns, namely medicines that would be used mainly in third world countries? Are these companies morally obligated to earmark at least some of their profits to pursue such projects? What responsibilities do the governments of developing nations have to their citizens in providing and improving health care? Some of the most urgent current health issues in developing countries are the threats posed by drug-resistant TB and malaria, Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis, and typhoid fever (Alameda). Vaccines are available for all of the above infections except TB and malaria, but separate injections are required for each, some require follow-ups, and each injection costs as much as $75 (Alameda). This is an expense that is obviously not practical for most rural citizens in Africa and Southeast Asia, some of the areas where these diseases are most prevalent (Glaxo). No relief effort to date has the resources to make widespread distribution of these vaccines possible or practical. The very beginning of the battle is making products that will greatly increase the health o... ...of companies with the resources who would enjoy the benefits. In addition, it is obvious that the US on an international scale benefits from such efforts, and thus our government should be willing to support or conduct such research when necessary. Works Cited: Alameda Travel Vaccination Center. About the Vaccines: Alameda Travel Vaccination Center. http: www.netcantina.com/travelmed/homepage/.htm (6 March 1997). Belden, Peter. US Agency for International Development. Letter to the author. 8 March 1997. Glaxo Wellcome Inc. "A Timely, Two-Sided Attack on Malaria", Glaxo Wellcome Noticeboard, Glaxo Wellcome Research Centres. Glaxo Wellcome http://www.glaxowellcome.co.uk/netscape/world [contains links to all articles] (6 March 1997). Smallpox. Encyclopedia Britannica. vol. 10, 1994 ed. p. 887-8. Ryan, Dr. Thomas E. Physician. Letter to the author. 8 Mar 1997.