Reference no: EM132212969

Candeye’s Big Idea Candeye Makesum is the new Vice President of Marketing for a large online search engine company, Boggle Search. Candeye has been doing some research into how she can increase the company’s revenues and thereby really impress the company brass. During her research, she came across an article about Brazilian pharmacies looking for an advertising vehicle to tap into the U.S. consumer market. Further research reveals that allowing the pharmacies to advertise on the Boggle site could be a million-dollar venture and if Boggle plays its cards right, it could make a substantial amount. Makesum is super ecstatic about the possibilities and is salivating over what this could mean for her career with Boggle. Before Makesum pulls the trigger on this, she does some research and consults with the Boggle legal department. She learns the following: 1. The shipment of prescription drugs from pharmacies outside the United States to customers in the United States may violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and in the case of controlled prescription drugs, the Controlled Substances Act. 2. The FDA cannot ensure the safety and effectiveness of foreign prescription drugs that are not FDA-approved. 3. Imported drugs typically do not meet FDA’s labeling requirements and may not have been manufactured, stored and distributed under proper conditions; and may not have been dispensed in accordance with a valid prescription. 4. The government has historically been very lax in enforcing the laws in this area and legally there are a few gray areas, therefore the risk of any prosecution may not be significant. Makesum has also learned that foreign pharmaceuticals—even those that have not received U.S. FDA approval, are usually safe, and that, in fact, more people in the U.S. die from not taking the medication they need because they couldn’t afford that medicine, than die from using lower-priced foreign-manufactured pharmaceuticals. Makesum believes there is an informational component to letting consumers know about this option that could make necessary prescriptions more affordable. After the consultation with Legal, Makesum is confused as to what her decision should be. Boggle wouldn’t be selling or shipping these products itself. If you were advising Makesum on the ethical implications presented by this case, what would you say to her? Specifically, what ethical problems and issues do you see, if any?