1. Business Ethics and American Corporations Group III- Bhagaloo, Estrada, Meacham, Raghunauth, Villa Group III- Bhagaloo, Estrada, Meacham, Raghunauth, Villa Can You Trust Your Pharmaceutical Company?

2. Merck Where patients come first?

3. F a c t s FACT: Merck was aware of the risks before launching product FACT: Merck was aware of the risks before launching product

4. F a c t s F a c t s FACT: Merck invented a game called “dodge ball” to teach drug representatives how to evade doctors’ tough questions about the safety of Vioxx. FACT: Merck invented a game called “dodge ball” to teach drug representatives how to evade doctors’ tough questions about the safety of Vioxx.

5. F a c t s FACT: delayed strengthening Vioxx’s warning label to make an extra $229 million in profits. FACT: delayed strengthening Vioxx’s warning label to make an extra $229 million in profits.

6. Result 88,000-139,000 people suffered from heart attacks or stroke As many as 40 percent of these people, or about 55,000 died as a result On September 30, 2004 Merck announced the “voluntarily” worldwide withdrawal of VIOXX from the market

7. Catholic Social Teaching: “It is imperative that no one, out of indifference to the course of events or because of inertia, would indulge in a merely individualistic morality. The best way to fulfill one's obligations of justice and love is to contribute to the common good according to one's means and the needs of others, and also to promote and help public and private organizations devoted to bettering the conditions of life.” “It is imperative that no one, out of indifference to the course of events or because of inertia, would indulge in a merely individualistic morality. The best way to fulfill one's obligations of justice and love is to contribute to the common good according to one's means and the needs of others, and also to promote and help public and private organizations devoted to bettering the conditions of life.” - Gaudium et Spes: Second Vatican Council, 1965 “Primary goal of any business enterprise should be the well-being of the human person, not the pursuit of profit.” “Primary goal of any business enterprise should be the well-being of the human person, not the pursuit of profit.” Companies should make choices to protect and promote the interests of others, not just their own. Companies should make choices to protect and promote the interests of others, not just their own.

8. After being presented with various documents emphasizing the negative side effects, Vioxx should not have been released After being presented with various documents emphasizing the negative side effects, Vioxx should not have been released If Merck considered their consumers If Merck considered their consumers rather than increasing revenue, rather than increasing revenue, 55,000 people would still be 55,000 people would still be among us. among us. Making an Ethical Decision