Apply Your Skills: Ethical Dilemma

Apply Your Skills: Ethical Dilemma- Chapter 4

Mandy Snowden

AH Biotech

In my opinion, I believe that Dr. Hassan felt an ethical responsibility to do the clinical trials in Albania and I personally believe that this is the best choice. Lack of participation from American physicians prepared to take on the job of doing the clinical trials, testing, and providing the documentation that was needed for the trial to get approval is a big obstacle. Working in the healthcare industry I understand the regulations that physicians are required to follow for insurance purposes to cover patient’s healthcare costs in America and this is where the obstacle occurs.  Physicians do not have the time to take on additional work when they are already overwhelmed by providing day to day care. Adding an additional plan of care to see certain patients for the trial and make specific documentation would make them take away from their existing patients. An advantage to doing the trials in Albania is that it can be brought to the American market much faster and cheaper because the Albania community would be anxiously awaiting to help trial this new drug. With Albania’s poor healthcare system, they are more flexible and it would allow their physicians to earn better money as clinical investigators for the U.S.  If the drug is approved, AH Biotech could use part of the profits to set up the compassionate program in Albania, which is barely a functioning health-care system.  This would help the Albanian healthcare system and show the true humanity of the American people. Knowing that the people of Albania are dealing with the same struggles of anxiety as Americans, it would be more ethical to help both countries. Once approved, it will allow AH Biotech to bring the drug to Americans who suffer from anxiety and provide support to a country who struggles overall with healthcare. I think from the expense side it may cost AH Biotech overhead with implementing the compassionate program. With approval by the FDA and Americans being able to bill their insurance this will help with the cost. I think the most rewarding part of the trial would be that Dr. Hassan and AH Biotech would get the drug trialed, approved, and help those who suffer with anxiety.