Consumer Health Vs. Corporate Wealth: Can Pharmaceutical Company Prioritize both Profit and Patient Safety

Consumer Health Vs. Corporate Wealth: Can Pharmaceutical Company Prioritize both Profit and Patient Safety

The pharmaceutical company is multifaceted and plays an essential role in health care, it is responsible for drug discovery, development and marketing of life saving medications. In order to provide cost effective alternatives, pharmaceutical companies in Nepal are mainly replicating current drug formulae but also invest heavily in research. Their role in improving healthcare cannot be denied but it is also indeed a business driven by profit and sales. Industries are committed to provide medical solutions but also contends with ethical dilemma of producing drugs with misuse potential with severe consequences for individuals and society as a whole. Manufacturing companies undoubtedly work on profit-centric approach but prioritization of profit over patient safety by uncontrolled manufacturing and distribution of potentially harmful drugs raises ethical concerns.

Financial incentives and market demand are two tires that actually dictate the direction of manufacturing of particular set of medicines. Medications used in chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes), lifestyle changes (weight loss, cosmetics) and other specialty drugs often command for higher prices with profit margins resulting stream of revenue for an industry.

However, this profit-centric approach can have a darker side as some companies could aggressively market drugs prone to misuse, without being concerned about their addictive properties and health risks. Such practices will lead to over production of potentially dangerous medications where financial gains will overlook patient well-being. Notable example, like opioids epidemic in USA highlighted terrifying profit-focused mentality characterized by widespread misuse and addiction to opioid, including prescription painkillers, which resulted by aggressive marketing of such products by pharmaceutical company, despite knowing the risk of addiction associated to it.

Nepal, like many other country faces challenges that is related to misuse of prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications. Tramadol for instance, used in pain management along with its opioid-like properties, was easily available earlier in Nepalese market. Many companies were engaged in large production of such medications until and unless the rate of consumption due its off label use was so high that regulatory bodies put strict regulations in marketing such products. Does this explain that pharmaceuticals were unaware about the risk of addiction associated to such products or it implies the darker side of profit focused approach as large revenues were being made by marketing of such products.

Similarly, Pregabalin, primarily used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain has now gained attention due its potential for misuse and dependence on its off label use. Misuse of pregabalin is well documented in PubMed which shows increasing trends of potential misuse from 2004 to 2021. OTC drugs that are easily accessible from pharmacy store for example, cough syrups that contain anti-histamines with sedating properties are indeed prone to be misused in many parts of the country. Misuse mainly due to self-medicating, for issues beyond their intended use can result in drowsiness, impaired coordination and addiction when taken in excessive amounts.

The shadowy aspect of profit driven approach of pharmaceutical companies become evident when they continue to manufacture a significant volume of medications with addiction potential. This attitude can unconsciously contribute to production of medications that have the potential to bind an individual in cycles of addiction, thereby undermining the industry’s responsibility to prioritize patient wellness and safety over profit margins. This approach of companies that prioritize profit over patient safety is an irony cause pharmacy profession is dedicated in not only providing safe and effective medications but also monitoring drug distribution so that they don’t end up in wrong hands. There should be a delicate balance in providing medicines to address certain medical conditions which also has high risk of being misused by consumers.

Health care system is incomplete without pharmaceutical manufacturing companies because they play an indispensable role in producing medicines that actually heal people and improve lives of individuals. These companies work in interrelated departments with major departments including, production department, quality control department and quality assurance department which make sure that the product produced is safe, effective and stable until its shelf-life. Their responsibility doesn’t end here as such companies should be actively involved in post marketing surveillance as well to ensure that their products are being used for its intended purpose and reach in right hands.

While profitability is a necessary aspect of any business, the pursuit of financial gain should never compromise patient welfare. Patient-centered care is obligatory for any organizations related to health care. They must be transparent and carry ethical responsibility for betterment of consumers. Companies if take measures to guarantee the proper distribution and become responsible for use of their products, they not only fulfil their ethical obligations but also contribute to overall well-being and safety of their consumers, fostering a harmonious relationship between industry and patient care. Regulatory bodies and health care professionals should also work towards raising awareness about risk associated with overproduction and uncontrolled distribution of drugs prone to misuse and implementing measures to mitigate this issues.

A “pharmaceutical company” is truly commendable and respected only when it maintains delicate balance between profit and vigilant monitoring, unwaveringly prioritizing health and well-being of its consumers.

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