View
371
Download
1
Category
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
This research was carried out as part of the Business Ethics module and presented by my colleagues and I.
Citation preview
Prepared by:
Adriana Cusniriuc, Alice Hoey, Crystalle
Liceralde, Francine Kwan, Monisha Andruse
GlaxoSmithKline
Business and
Professional Ethics
Background Research
GSK is one of the top pharmaceutical
manufacturers in the world.
Their offices are situated in 115 countries
including USA, Spain and China.
Spent around £4 billion in research and
development of medicines.
Few of their products include Ribena,
Lucozade, Sensodyne and Panadol.
2
GSK Controversies
Ribena
Seroxat Avandia
3
Ribena Ad.
4
Ribena Two
teenagers
discovered
the absence
of Vitamin C.
The school
girls contacted
GSK twice
without valid
response.
Fair Go
suggested to
take matters
into
commerce
commission.
Pleaded
guilty for 15
charges and
were fined
$217,500.
Issues Raised
Mislead consumers in the context of Vitamin C
Shows lack of business ethics
Utilised incorrect information for their own
competitive advantage and to increase profit.
Acted against GSK’s Code of Ethics.
6
Avandia & Seroxat
DRUG Anti-diabetic Anti-depressant
CAUSES High risks of heart
attack
Self-harmed and/or
committed suicide
ACTIONS
TOOK
Asked doctors to hide
information on risks
concerning Avandia.
GSK hid the negative
impacts of Seroxat on
its packaging.
RESOLVED Fined $3 billion and allowed the govt. to
monitor their actions for the next 5 years.
7
Issues Raised
8
GSK broke three out of six rules in medical
ethics.
Doctors prescribed off-label drugs to patients.
The producers were aware about the extent of
harmfulness prior to disguising information.
Transactions were carried out without a valid
children’s license.
Conclusion
GSK’s actions highly contradicts with their slogan.
They lacked compassion towards families who were
affected by their products.
There should be a top governing body for preventing
mistakes happening within workforce.
Govt. should place a secondary body to asses
prescribed medicine before giving.
Concealment of dangerous information expresses an
egoistic and self-interest view of GSK.
9
10
Recommended