Case 18: The Betaseron® Decision (A)
1. What are the ethical issues in this situation? Which issues must Berlex consider first when
determining how to distribute Betaseron®?
Is Berlex or Chiron at fault for not being able to meet the demand for a drug that they are
marketing and manufacturing, or did they have no way of knowing that the FDA would expedite
2. Given the shortage of the drug, how should Berlex decide who receives it and who waits? Give
a specific plan.
By deciding that one subgroup or another of the pool of potential recipients is to receive
Betaseron® before another, Berlex would have to make the difficult decision of whose needs are
3. How should Berlex handle the logistics of distribution?
Any system must ensure that every patient will receive the full dosage needed, because the
treatment is not effective if not followed carefully. One potential problem, due to the shortage, is
4. How should Berlex determine the relative pricing? Assume the drug costs about
$12,000 per year.
Should the price of the drug be dependent upon a patient s ability to pay? How does insurance
coverage factor in? Students should be pushed to consider the implications of each of their
Case Discussion Q&A, Business & Society, Carroll 10e
5. Who, if anyone, should be involved in the decision making?
Concerning distribution, if Berlex decides to use the lottery method, nobody is actually involved