The Amos Drug Company has developed a new drug that will prevent osteoporosis, one of the most dangerous conditions affecting older people, especially older women. In osteoporosis, calcium is leached out of the bones, which then become brittle and break easily. Osteoporosis can also cause serious compression fractures of the vertebrae and neck, as well as cause a great deal of pain as the condition progresses.
The drug has cost millions to develop, test, and put on the market. It has no side effects, but it does have to be taken every day from puberty on. If this regimen is followed, the person will never develop osteoporosis. The drug is especially effective for those who are genetically predisposed to the condition.
This drug has an enormous potential market. Prior to its release, the only way someone could prevent osteoporosis was to take calcium supplements or increase the calcium in their diet; but this didn't guarantee that a problem would not occur much later in life. With the new drug, if someone takes one pill every day, there is no chance of developing osteoporosis.
Amos Drug Company is contemplating an interesting marketing plan. If all people over age 25 were required to take the drug, many people could be saved from a painful and crippling disease. So the company's president, Doug Marshall, has asked legislators in his state to consider passing a law requiring the drug for everyone.
There is some precedent for a state stepping in to better the health of its constituents. In many states, genetic testing for certain conditions is required at birth; in others, the state often intervenes to force certain patients to have a procedure (such as a cesarean section or blood transfusion).
If the drug became required by the state, the company would not only recoup all the money it had spent on research and development but make a huge profit and at the same time help many people.
Questions
What would be Mr. Marshall's argument to the representatives of the state legislature?
Should people be required to take care of their health?
What should be the part of the government in our health care decisions?
How might insurance companies react to the law?
If the law were passed, how would the courts deal with someone who refused to follow the law?
The Amos Drug Company has developed a new drug that will prevent osteoporosis, one of the most dangerous conditions affecting older people, especially older women. In osteoporosis, calcium is leached out of the bones, which then become brittle and break easily. Osteoporosis can also cause serious compression fractures of the vertebrae and neck, as well as cause a great deal of pain as the condition progresses.
The drug has cost millions to develop, test, and put on the market. It has no side effects, but it does have to be taken every day from puberty on. If this regimen is followed, the person will never develop osteoporosis. The drug is especially effective for those who are genetically predisposed to the condition.
This drug has an enormous potential market. Prior to its release, the only way someone could prevent osteoporosis was to take calcium supplements or increase the calcium in their diet; but this didn't guarantee that a problem would not occur much later in life. With the new drug, if someone takes one pill every day, there is no chance of developing osteoporosis.
Amos Drug Company is contemplating an interesting marketing plan. If all people over age 25 were required to take the drug, many people could be saved from a painful and crippling disease. So the company's president, Doug Marshall, has asked legislators in his state to consider passing a law requiring the drug for everyone.
There is some precedent for a state stepping in to better the health of its constituents. In many states, genetic testing for certain conditions is required at birth; in others, the state often intervenes to force certain patients to have a procedure (such as a cesarean section or blood transfusion).
If the drug became required by the state, the company would not only recoup all the money it had spent on research and development but make a huge profit and at the same time help many people.
Questions
What would be Mr. Marshall's argument to the representatives of the state legislature?
Should people be required to take care of their health?
What should be the part of the government in our health care decisions?
How might insurance companies react to the law?
If the law were passed, how would the courts deal with someone who refused to follow the law?
