Case Description: The Pharmaceutical Industry and the AIDS Crisis

Abstract

Since 1996 AIDS patients can be treated effectively with combinations of antiretroviral drugs. From the beginning this treatment has been very expensive and therefore unaffordable and unavailable for millions of patients in developing countries. As a result, pharmaceutical companies have been criticised because for their price policies and for holding on to patents that ultimately impose constraints to access to lifesaving treatment. On the other hand, pharmaceutical companies have developed various programs as part of their corporate social responsibility policies. Some of these programs indeed aim to expand access to treatment for AIDS patients. Examples are price reduction programs, donations, but also decisions to refrain from enforcing patent protection in developing countries. The question remains however to what extent pharmaceutical companies have moral obligations to make their lifesaving products affordable for people who need them. The problem is illustrated with policies of one of the leading pharmaceutical producers, Roche.