Plasma - Blood Selling Company

Plasma international company is a company that purchases blood and supplies it to anyone in need at a cost. A few years ago, there was a natural disaster in Nicaragua. Many people suffered injuries and there was a massive need for blood. Plasma international stepped up to the challenge and supplied 10,000 units of blood.

Plasma International Company came to the aid of Nicaragua, with a cost. Plasma International charged the hospitals of Nicaragua $150 per pint of blood. On the other hand, it only cost the company 90 cents per pint at wholesale. News began to circulate regarding the difference in beginning and ending price. Some saw this as an unfair business practice. Soon, negative publicity surrounded the company and the public demanded to revoke company’s license as it is not fair to do business in situations of “life and death”. However, founder of Plasma International- Mr. Jack Smith’s argument of ‘price involve different costs and profit’ is acceptable to some extent.

Before raising ethical issues in this case, we need to examine if the company violated any laws or regulations. Below are the supporting facts:

• Jack Smith submitted enough evidence before the “House Sub-committee on Medical Standards” to prove that the company met with the medical standards in maintaining the quality of the blood.

• Proper steps were taken in doing research for “Ideal prospective donors”.

• At the time of the protest, by the public against the company, there were no laws on the sale of the blood.

• The company met taxation regulations with timely tax payments.

Based on the facts, the company is not in violation of any laws or regulation. Every business (which is not non-profit) has an end goal in mind, to increase revenue and earn profit.

The common man’s point of view could be different from that of a business entity. If we look at the price situation from a common man’s standpoint, there will be a debate on the ethical grounds. For example, the common man might say, “– If it’s fair to do business during calamities and crisis, and how could the poor afford?”

In the Nicaragua case, there was a need for a large quantity of blood and Plasma, through its highly qualified