You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many people in poor countries die from diseases that are curable because they cannot afford the medication required.
Do you believe that drug companies should make their products available at reduced prices in these countries?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.
You should write at least 250 words.
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Sample Essay 1
In a world where medical advancements have reached unprecedented heights, it is a stark reality that many people in poor countries die from diseases that are curable, simply because they lack the financial means to afford necessary medications. This essay argues that pharmaceutical companies have a moral obligation to provide their products at reduced prices in these nations, highlighting the ethical implications of accessibility and the potential global benefits of such initiatives.
The moral imperative for drug companies to reduce prices in impoverished regions cannot be overstated. Many people in poor countries die from diseases that are preventable or treatable with medications that are often priced well beyond their reach. This creates a chasm of inequality in global health care, underscoring a dire need for a compassionate approach to pharmaceutical distribution. For instance, the provision of antiretroviral drugs at lowered costs in Sub-Saharan Africa has shown significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, demonstrating the potential impact of affordable medication on public health.
Moreover, the argument for reducing drug prices extends beyond ethical considerations to practical benefits. By making medications more accessible in developing countries, pharmaceutical companies can play a pivotal role in curbing the spread of infectious diseases, which know no borders in our interconnected world. Additionally, healthier populations contribute to more stable and economically productive societies, which can lead to increased markets for these companies in the long term. This win-win scenario illustrates the symbiosis between corporate responsibility and business acumen.
In conclusion, the provision of medications at reduced prices in poor countries is not merely an act of charity but a necessary step towards a more equitable world. The moral and practical arguments for such measures are compelling, underscoring the urgent need for pharmaceutical companies to reconsider their pricing strategies. By doing so, they can save lives, foster global health security, and contribute to the development of thriving communities worldwide.
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Sample Essay 2
In numerous underprivileged nations, a heart-wrenching reality persists: countless individuals succumb to diseases that, with accessible treatment, could be effortlessly cured. This tragic circumstance raises a pivotal ethical question: should pharmaceutical companies lower their prices in these regions to save lives? Advocating for such a measure, this essay posits that drug manufacturers have a moral obligation to make life-saving medications affordable in impoverished countries, addressing both humanitarian considerations and the potential for fostering global health equity.
Central to the argument for reduced drug pricing is the stark reality that many people in poor countries die from diseases due to the prohibitive cost of essential medications. The high price tags attached to these drugs often reflect the substantial investment in research and development. However, prioritizing profit margins over human lives exacerbates health disparities, leaving the most vulnerable to face preventable mortality. By adopting a more compassionate pricing model, pharmaceutical companies can play a crucial role in bridging the healthcare access gap, demonstrating that corporate responsibility extends beyond shareholders to the broader global community.
Furthermore, implementing a reduced pricing strategy in these regions could serve as a cornerstone for achieving global health equity. It's not merely about alleviating immediate suffering; it's about investing in the long-term well-being of global populations. Such initiatives can lead to stronger, healthier communities, which in turn can contribute to a more stable and prosperous world. The ripple effects of this approach - ranging from enhanced disease control to improved economic outcomes - underscore the interconnectedness of global health and economic stability.
In conclusion, the moral imperative for pharmaceutical companies to offer their products at lower prices in poor countries is undeniable. This essay has highlighted the critical need to prioritize human lives over profit margins and the significant role that reduced drug pricing can play in promoting global health equity. By adopting such measures, drug companies can contribute to a world where no individual's life is deemed less valuable due to their geographical location or economic status.
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Sample Essay 3
A lot of people from the poor nations do not have enough money to pay for the medicine that can cure their diseases. While some may argue that pharmaceutical companies should offer discounts to these poor people so that they can access to treatment, I do not believe this can remedy the situation because these drug companies should run their business instead of sharing the responsibility to ensure drug accessibility to everyone. In addition, people will still have the financial burden often due to prolonged treatment courses. Reduced price level generates lower revenue, which can push down the research and development spending by the pharmaceutical companies, resulting in fewer drugs reaching the market and eventually exacerbating the drug scarcity. In other words, offering a lower drug cost to residents of less affluent countries will not reduce their death rate from curable diseases because it is not the business of pharmaceutical companies to ensure people can obtain their medicine, but Instead, they should always prioritise to earn money by selling their products, so that they can invest in further research and develop more effective drug products. For example, Pfizer have a lot of HIV drugs that can save people's lives, but the company do not reduce their product prices for the Cambodians, as they need to maintain their business revenue.
In addition, reducing drug prices can never be a viable measure to curb the poor people’s death from curable diseases because the scenario includes, but not limited to, inadequate local healthcare infrastructures that breaks the supply chain hampering the delivery of medicines on time to millions of people. Also, there are many chronic diseases that require the use of life-long medicine, and the drug discounts cannot offset the burden due to long treatment costs. For example, a slight decrease in the drug price for many inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatic arthritis, do not bring a huge impact to the overall drug costs for the patient that will rely on the medicine indefinitely.
To conclude, I do not believe pharmaceutical companies should offer their products to poor people with lower costs because it will lower their revenue and spending on research, which will impact on their overall production. Furthermore, drug price cut cannot reduce mortality rate significantly as patients may still need to pay a lot due to long treatment durations for some perennial diseases.
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