Utilitarianism Ethics Essay
Due to the many ethical issues surrounding free samples of medications, they should not be prescribed to the uninsured or underinsured. The basic principle underlying utilitarianism ethics is an action is right or moral if it maximizes utility or happiness. Very simply, happiness can be explained as an absence of pain. The patient in this scenario receiving the free drug sample will not only be upset about the quality of care but also of the quality of medicine he or she is receiving. Moreover, no pharmacist is used in order to examine the patients past medical history, pinpoint certain allergies or drug interactions with the current medications the patients is using (Chimonas 2009). Also, the packaging of samples usually lacks proper labeling, leaving out the expiration date, possibly resulting in the patient to become significantly sick, hence, decreasing
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their happiness (Chimonas 2009). Feeding more into this fire is physician’s offices are usually excluded from notification when a drug has been recalled. All of the factors stated above not only decrease the happiness of the patient, but also that of their families, physicians, and even the drug companies.
As companies are now held accountable, which adds new worries and creates a form of pain without pleasure—a violation of utilitarianism ethics. Similarly, according to act utilitarianism, which focuses on the pleasure brought about by an action when compared to another action that could have been performed (Nathanson). In this situation the physician has the choice of recommending a generic drug or giving a sample drug. If the physician chooses the sample medication the patient will be stuck with the ridiculous upcost of brand name drugs and a quality-lacking drug. However, if the physician chooses the generic drug the patient will have an affordable and safe plan proven by the years the generic drug has been on the market. Likewise, the example stated above is also in line with rule utilitarianism - the act of giving patients sample drugs is morally wrong because the same amount of pleasure is not produced due to the may hardships of sample drugs
(Nathanson).
their happiness (Chimonas 2009). Feeding more into this fire is physician’s offices are usually excluded from notification when a drug has been recalled. All of the factors stated above not only decrease the happiness of the patient, but also that of their families, physicians, and even the drug companies.
As companies are now held accountable, which adds new worries and creates a form of pain without pleasure—a violation of utilitarianism ethics. Similarly, according to act utilitarianism, which focuses on the pleasure brought about by an action when compared to another action that could have been performed (Nathanson). In this situation the physician has the choice of recommending a generic drug or giving a sample drug. If the physician chooses the sample medication the patient will be stuck with the ridiculous upcost of brand name drugs and a quality-lacking drug. However, if the physician chooses the generic drug the patient will have an affordable and safe plan proven by the years the generic drug has been on the market. Likewise, the example stated above is also in line with rule utilitarianism - the act of giving patients sample drugs is morally wrong because the same amount of pleasure is not produced due to the may hardships of sample drugs
(Nathanson).