Ethical concerns with the global health research trials.
The pharmaceutical division for the global healthcare company you work for is considering outsourcing clinical trials for a new female birth control patch to an underdeveloped country. This will help avoid the long process to get approval to conduct the trials in the U.S., and it will save your company millions of dollars. You are concerned about the ethics of this.
For this assignment, write a 2-3 page letter to the Global Research Operations Manager describing your ethical concerns with the global health research trials. Explain the ethical issues regarding conducting research trials on underinsured and uninsured people. Include global ethical issues associated with reproductive health.
Sample Solution
Dear Global Research Operations Manager,
I am writing to express my ethical concerns regarding the proposal to outsource clinical trials for a new female birth control patch to an underdeveloped country. As you know, this will save the pharmaceutical division millions of dollars; however there are many ethical considerations that must be taken into account before such a decision is made.
One of the primary ethical issues associated with conducting research trials in developing countries is the lack of health insurance among those participating in these studies. Many people in these countries do not have access to affordable medical care and thus may be more vulnerable or desperate when it comes to taking part in clinical trials – making them more likely to agree even if they do not fully understand all potential risks or consequences (Lemery et al., 2018). Furthermore, participants may not feel free to withdraw from a study due to financial constraints or cultural beliefs around obedience; meaning their autonomy can easily be compromised (Dobbie & Roffey 2017).
In addition, global ethical issues related to reproductive health should also be considered. Such as whether certain groups are being discriminated against based on gender, race or religion – since these factors can influence who has access/control over their reproductive choices and outcomes (Perkins 2016). Or how any changes resulting from the release of this contraceptive patch could impact existing standards/norms within society – leading either positive change for some individuals while potentially marginalizing others.
Finally, given how critical healthcare is for everyone’s well-being it is essential that all parties involved are fully informed about what data will be collected and how it might impact them personally – including external entities like international governments which could potentially use information gathered from such studies against those living within their own borders.
Therefore I urge caution when considering outsourcing clinical trials abroad particularly when dealing with sensitive topics like women’s reproductive health – as disregarding basic human rights protections can lead to serious repercussions down the line both legally as well as ethically speaking.
Sincerely,
