Some Questions About the Moral Responsibilities of Drug Companies in Developing Countries

David Resnik begins his paper with the claim that ‘Providing people with affordable prescription drugs is probably the most important health care issue for the developing world as we begin the 21st century.’ ¹ I believe he is correct. He goes on to argue that drug companies have social responsibilities, including moral obligations based in beneficence and justice, to help meet this need by such practices as drug giveaways, discount pricing, and special licensing arrangements. However, this responsibility is contingent, he believes, in part on developing countries establishing a business climate in which drug companies can expect to make reasonable profits, which includes in particular respecting the product patents of drug companies.